The exhibitions and events season is now very much in full swing. With Sign and Digital UK 2024 having only closed its doors a few weeks ago, the print industry is now set for the next big date on its calendar: the FESPA Global Print Expo 2024.
Taking place from 19-22 March at the RAi Amsterdam in the Dutch capital, the event will once again welcome exhibitors from all corners of the industry. Though perhaps weighted more to the wide-format and sign and display markets, this year’s exhibitor list suggests there will be something for everyone involved with print.
This year, the event is taking place a little earlier than normal, with organisers having taken into account the impact of Drupa, the print industry’s biggest event that will be running in Düsseldorf, Germany from 29 May to 7 June. However, this has seemingly not taken the shine off FESPA 2024, with plenty of big-name exhibitors set to feature in Amsterdam – though there are some notable exception with HP and Fujifilm among those missing from this year’s floorplan.
Headline partners for this year’s event include Brother, Mimaki, CarbonQuota, ROQ and Stahls. More than 525 exhibitors will attend with swissQprint, Agfa, Berger Textiles, Roland DG and PrintFactory to name but a few, while over 75 launches have been announced ahead of the event.
“FESPA’s events are unique because, not only do visitors get access to hundreds of suppliers and the new innovations that are launched every year, they are also able to grow their knowledge, be inspired by our educational content programme, and learn from like-minded business professionals,” said Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo.
“Each event brings something new, and I truly believe that, whether you’ve attended a FESPA event before or it’s your first time visiting, there are new opportunities ready to be revealed to you.”
More than one event
What perhaps makes FESPA 2024 more attractive to visitors is the decision by organisers to combine the main show with several, smaller events. While the main FESPA Global Print Expo will be the main attraction, there will be more for visitors to explore at the European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience and the all-new Sportswear Pro.
The European Sign Expo, which has been part of FESPA for a number of years, will focus on opportunities in the signage and visual communications industries. Some 115 exhibitors are confirmed including software partner Navori Labs and textile frame partner EFKA.
Also returning this year is the Personalisation Experience, which again will explore customisation-enabling solutions and showcase the advantages of customisation offers to a print business. Among those exhibiting are Antigro Designer, Universe Production, Shirt Industries Ltd., Kit Builder and PunchCloud, while a one-day conference program will take place on 20 March.
New for 2024 is Sportswear Pro, another focused event that will look at solutions for the sportswear manufacturing process, from design and production through to decoration. Ara NV, Ricoma International Corporation, ORAFOL Europe and Aisten Lab Technology will be among those in attendance, while a one-day conference program will run on 21 March, with discussions to include sportswear trends and the future of the industry.
In addition to this, visitors can explore several in-show features. Delivered in partnership with Navori Labs, the new ‘Digital Signage Lounge’ will showcase new innovations in this sector and explore how it can be aligned with print.
Also new this year is ‘Personalise Make Wear’, which will showcase end-to-end production in the personalised sportswear and sports-related merchandise markets. Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Textintel and a FESPA Textile Ambassador, will host this area, with visitors to have access to fireside chats with industry experts and guided tours of relevant stands.
Another area addressing key trends within the market will be the returning Sustainability Spotlight. Here, visitors will be able to explore environmentally conscious graphic and textile alternatives, each with its own information card.
In addition, World Wrap Masters will be hosting the European leg of the competition and the series final, while visitors can attend training workshops and demonstrations at The Wrap Institute.
What to look out for
With organisers saying more than 75 new launches will be taking place at the wider show, it would be rather tricky to name and analyse each of these in a single article. However, there are certain highlights that visitors can look out for while wandering the aisles of the RAi Amsterdam.
Mimaki will be taking an energy-efficient approach, showcasing technology that it said offers more sustainable and planet friendly solutions to users. Among the machines being shown on Stand F10 in Hall 2 include the new UJV100-160Plus and UCJV330-160.
The UJV100-160Plus, Mimaki said boasts “extraordinarily” low power consumption, as well as additional functionalities to help increase customer profitability. Sister model the UCJV330-160 is an integrated printer/cutter that the manufacturer said offers high-speed and high-quality printing across a range of applications.
In addition, following Mimaki’s recent move into the direct-to-film (DTF) printing market, the company’s latest addition, the TxF300-75, will be shown at an EMEA-wide show for the first time.
“This FESPA offers a compelling chance for visitors to fully immerse themselves in Mimaki’s comprehensive product portfolio, both at the show and next door at our European headquarters,” Mimaki’s General Manager Marketing EMEA, Danna Drion, said.
“We’re excited to present our latest product portfolio to our many customers and prospects and, of course, for everyone to join us in celebrating our landmark 20-year anniversary.”
On the subject of DTF, Ricoh will be staging the global launch of a new, industrial DTF print solution. The machine, the details of which will be revealed at the show, will run using Ricoh Pro DTF ink and a new powder shaker technology.
The manufacturer is also due to showcase its first “compact-footprinted” hybrid printer to be based on Flora digital technology, while its Ri 4000 direct-to-garment (DTG) printer will be handed its European debut and visitors can also view live demonstrations of the Ri 1000X DTG printer
Other features from Ricoh, which will have two stands (5-H80 and 12-C50), include its roll-to-roll Ricoh Pro L5160e latex extended gamut system and the Ricoh Pro TF6251 UV flatbed printer plus roll-to-roll.
Plenty to see
As for other print-related highlights at FESPA 2024, Roland DG will be showing off its recently launched VersaOBJECT MO-240, which is replacing its LEF2 Series and is designed to elevate direct-to-object printing.
On Stand D10 in Hall A1, Roland DG will also demo its new VersaSTUDIO BD-8, which marks the debut of a flatbed UV printer in the VersaSTUDIO series, and the BY-20, featuring Roland DG’s DTF technology. Incidentally, the BN2-20 desktop eco-solvent printer/cutter completes the VersaSTUDIO line-up.
“With the new launches, the VersaSTUDIO Series now offers a complete selection of compact, easy-to-use, and affordable solutions that bring professional quality to entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Marc Artigas, Sales Director EMEA at Roland DG EMEA, said.
Meanwhile, in Hall 1 on Stand C72, InkTec will display its new JETRIX LXa5, a 2.5 x 1.3m LED UV flatbed printer that the manufacturer said has been developed to deliver a “professional level of large-format printing at an economical price”. Features include print speeds of up to 37sq m/hr and a top print resolution of 1440 x 726 dpi and in media up to 100mm thick.
Another highlight from InkTec is the JETRIX XGR320, a 3.2m UV LED roll-to-roll printer with Ricoh Gen6 printheads. The machine can run at 114sq m/hr and also features multi-roll capability with wide double rollers both front and rear.
Elsewhere, Epson will debut two new machines on Stand G20 in Hall 12. The SureColor-V1000 A4 UV flatbed printer has been designed to serve the needs of businesses in the promotional goods industry, offering users the ability to print on substrates up to 70mm thick.
Also new from Epson is the SureColor-F1000 DTG printer, which it said is the first entry-level DTG printer that can print directly onto dark and light fabrics. According to Espon, the SC-F1000 is the only printer in its category to include white ink, enabling it to print directly onto dark garments and on film, which it said enables producers to print on items such as t-shirts, hoodies, bags, sweatshirts and cushions.
“Many small and medium sized businesses are using Epson’s digital printing technology to produce and retail uniquely designed, highly desirable and personalised items so we will be showing many fine examples of these items on our stand this year,” said Chris Davies from Epson Europe’s commercial and industrial printing division.
“The stand will be presented as a store front with many colourful examples of personalised and promotional items ranging from custom-designed t-shirts, photos and canvas applications to bespoke notebooks, phone cases, magnets, coasters and water bottles.”
Exploring new options
Of course, it is not just about printing machinery, with visitors also set to experience developments across finishing equipment, software, materials and consumables. Drytac, which has long been a supporter of FESPA’s events, will not have a stand at the show but will have its self-adhesive products featured on the booths of several leading manufacturers.
Mimaki, Epson and Ricoh will all be using Drytac materials to support live demonstrations of their hardware throughout the event. In addition, Drytac staff will be on hand to offer advice and guidance to visitors about the wider range of solutions available from Drytac.
“As one of the best attended events on the global print calendar, we look forward to speaking with visitors from around the world about the many applications we can support them with, and discussing how working with Drytac materials can help them access opportunities in exciting and profitable markets,” said Hayden Kelley, CEO of Drytac.
Also on the materials side, Soyang Technologies will be based on Stand A91 in Hall 1, with Key areas of focus to include textiles, PVC-free media and banner materials. Soyang will also feature on other stands, with Ricoh, Inktec and Plastgrommet all using Soyang media to support live product demos.
Soyang Europe will also be running dedicated customer product tours of its stand, with those who are interested advised to book ahead.
Meanwhile, Berger Textiles will use FESPA 2024 to unveil EVO, an extended range of Global Recycled Standard-certified textiles for soft signage applications. Included in this collection is Lumina Evolution and Samba Evolution for applications use in backlit frames, as well as Mozaik Evolution for black-back textile and Revolution Evolution and Display Evolution for display textiles in front-lit applications.
“Sustainability is interwoven through all aspects of Berger Textiles’ operations and we’re pleased to be at the point of formally sharing our strategy with visitors to FESPA Global Print Expo,” Berger Textiles CEO Alessandro Lanfranconi said. “Achieving a more circular business has long been our ambition and the launch of our extended EVO range delivers on that commitment, without compromising on the award-winning performance of our textiles.”
As for software, Onyx Graphics, a specialist in wide-format digital printing solutions and RIP software development, is set to preview ONYX 24 and unveil ONYX Sync on Stand 5-J61. Version 24 introduces features such as automated multi-layer printing, seamless mobile device integration, and advanced print quality assurance.
“ONYX 24 marks a major milestone in our commitment to address practical challenges faced by the printing industry,” said Matt Crawford, CEO of Onyx Graphics. “With this release, we're fully ready to roll out our most innovative RIP solutions to our European customers, empowering our users with the tools they need for unparalleled efficiency and success.”
In terms of ONYX Sync, this is the latest REST API that allow print shops to streamline and align their print production processes with various business tools. Users can also connect ONYX Thrive with their existing business management software to help improve workflow efficiency and productivity.
“ONYX Sync drives tremendous sustainability gains through automated production efficiency,” said Crawford. “The seamless integration with ONYX Thrive optimizes workflows to minimise waste, create circular material usage, and provide robust analytics for carbon and environmental impact management.” Onyx Graphics products are available in the UK from ArtSystems.
With this just a small selection of the huge array of new and established technologies and materials that will be on show at FESPA 2024 next week, there is plenty more to see and do when visiting the exhibition.
Of course, this will mean having to dip into your pockets to pay for transport and accommodation, and this may not be ideal with Drupa just a matter of weeks away. However, there is no doubting the quality of FESPA’s events and the huge range of exhibitors that will be in attendance, so it could well be worth making the trip over to the Netherlands for the latest FESPA extravaganza.
