Experience print in motion
Returning to its traditional spring-time slot, the FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 will once again throw open its doors to visitors from all around the world.
Taking place from May 31st to June 3rd at the Messe Berlin in Germany, the event will feature some of the leading names in print and wide-format print technology, with exhibitors set to showcase their latest technologies and solutions to a global audience.
O Factoid: The FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 will take place from May31st to June 3rd at the Messe Berlin in Germany O
With so much to see across the Messe, Print Monthly takes a look at some of the main highlights and considers why industry professionals in the UK should consider taking time out of their busy schedules to make the trip to Berlin and catch up on the latest developments from the global industry.
Reunite the industry
Looking ahead to the event, Michael Ryan, head of the FESPA Global Print Expo, says with just a matter of weeks left until the doors open in Berlin, excitement over the show is building, adding that the exhibition has the potential to “truly reunite the global speciality print community”.
The popular FESPA World Wrap Masters will again feature at the event
“The FESPA Global Print Expo will highlight the latest developments in screen, digital and textile printing,” Ryan says, adding: “As of the start of April, there are already 325 contracted exhibitors ready to showcase the latest technologies, media and consumables that will help set the speciality print and signage industries back in motion.”
Ryan says as the organiser, FESPA’s goal is to add value for visitors through an educational and inspirational content programme. This year, visitors will have access to two brand new features in the form of Sustainability Spotlight and Associations Pavilion.
As of the start of April, there are already 325 contracted exhibitors ready to showcase the latest technologies, media and consumables”
Sustainability Spotlight will aim to deliver practical and actionable advice on environmental best-practice through a series of free, expert-led conferences. Topics include reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint, making supply chains more transparent and avoiding greenwashing. Visitors can also view a showcase of innovative, sustainable textile and graphics substrates.
Meanwhile, the Associations Pavilion, will serve as an inspirational gallery, highlighting a range of diverse printed applications produced and finished by members of FESPA’s national associations.
Returning features will include the popular Printeriors section, where visitors will see an array of interior décor applications, with designs inspired by nature and produced in conjunction with print industry partners. In addition, at the Wrap Masters area, the week will start with the European heat, after which winners from all the regional competitions will battle it out for the title of ‘World Wrap Master 2022’.
The popular FESPA World Wrap Masters will again feature at the event
“With so much to look forward to, and after such a long time disconnected from one another, the Berlin event is not to be missed; we look forward to seeing you this spring,” Ryan says.
Immersive experience
So, who can we expect to see in the Messe? Durst will serve as a main sponsor of the event as it seeks to draw interest in its wide range of print solutions. Peter Bray, managing director for Durst UK and Ireland, explains that Durst will be one of the largest exhibitors at the event, with the stand covering around 800sq m in Hall 4.2. The company will use this presence to promote the importance of running a sustainable print business in the current market.
“We all need to think more and more about solutions for a more sustainable world,” Bray says, adding: “In this regard, print can be an essential part of this development, and FESPA is a fixed point in the universe of print. In this respect, experiencing print in motion means new, sustainable business models for our customers and us.
“Sustainability currently drives change in the printing industry, meaning that customers ask more for certifications or information about our printing systems, ink sets and how they are set related to the sustainability aspect.
“Of course, we from Durst Group, continuously work on developing products and services that respect this current trend. And we do not think in this direction when it comes to our own products, but we also try to only use materials that are environmentally friendly.
“At FESPA, for instance, we will only use sustainable material during the trade show. We already did so at FESPA in Amsterdam and had a good experience and positive feedback from customers and the market.”
Durst’s theme on its stand will be ‘P5 Production Excellence, with a focus on its current and future P5 portfolio, which consists of printing systems combined with Durst software solutions and Durst ink portfolio.
“At FESPA, we will present the P5 platform that convinces in every printing environment with high flexibility and versatility, combined with the Durst software solutions to get the maximum out of the printing production,” Bray says.
“We will show for the first time at FESPA our Durst Label & Flexible Packaging RSC platform as possible portfolio extension for large-format printing customers. Additionally, we will also have Vanguard as co-exhibitor on our stand and use FESPA as the official Europe launch.
“We are looking forward to FESPA, to Berlin, to present our Production Excellence portfolio, and above all, to finally seeing partners and customers ‘live’ again.”
Blueprint for success
Another major manufacturer that will have a presence at FESPA 2022 is Fujifilm, which has announced a ‘Blueprint Live’ concept for the show to mark the first global showcase of its new Acuity wide-format range. FESPA 2022 will mark the first time these printers have been displayed at a major event, with Fujifilm seeking to draw attention from visitors.
David Burton, business director for wide-format inkjet systems at Fujifilm, comments: “During a challenging time for the market, Fujifilm has been working on delivering a completely new range of printers that are set to define a new blueprint for wide-format print performance.
“Fujifilm’s ‘Blueprint Live’ event at FESPA 2022 represents the latest milestone for the company to showcase this vision and provide print businesses with the very latest printers to meet the rapidly changing needs of its customers.”
Included in the new range are the 5m and 3.2m versions of the Acuity Ultra R2, which was launched in mid-2021 offering a number of design improvements to benefit both ease-of-use and overall productivity, Burton says.
Fujifilm will display both the 3.2m and 5m versions of its new Acuity Ultra R2 at FESPA 2022
Like the original Acuity Ultra, the R2 is available in various colour configurations up to eight channels but can also be supplied with conventional UV curing as standard, or with an LED UV curing system for six colour and white configurations. This, Burton says, gives customers the option to choose the ultra-high productivity of conventional UV, or the comparatively lower operating costs and reduced energy use of LED UV.
To complement the new LED UV curing system, Fujifilm has also launched Uvijet AU, a new ink for the Acuity Ultra R2 that offers the same adhesion but is designed specifically for LED UV curing.
Also in the new range are the Acuity Prime 20 and Acuity Prime 30, both of which will be shown at FESPA 2022. Offering users the ability to print onto a range of rigid and flexible media, the machines were also launched to the market in the middle of last year.
Both the Acuity Prime 20 and Acuity Prime 30 benefit from a new ink system in the form of Uvijet HM, which Burton says has been formulated to provide “outstanding” adhesion to a host of substrates, while also producing a wide colour gamut.
The machines also feature a printable area of 2.54m x 1.27m and can accommodate media up to a thickness of 51mm. The Acuity Prime 20 is available with four, five or six ink channels, while the Acuity Prime 30 can be configured for up to seven.
“If you’re at FESPA this year, we look forward to welcoming you to ‘Blueprint Live’ on the Fujifilm stand to experience the power of Acuity printers for yourself,” Burton adds.
Thriving business
Away from printing hardware and Sappi will also be in attendance at FESPA 2022 to show off its portfolio of coated and uncoated dye-sublimation papers, containerboard and silicone base papers.
Sappi will invite visitors to see its range of sublimation papers, as well as view its corrugated board production products, explore its full range of silicone base papers and learn about its plans to support further market growth.
All Sappi papers will be displayed with new designs and materials to give visitors the best possible overview and insight into the types of application they can create with its products. Highlights will include a showcase of Sappi Basejet, an uncoated sublimation paper, as well as the complete Transjet brand product family and the 100% virgin fibre Fusion range liners.
The Printeriors area of the show will allow visitors to explore opportunities in the interior décor market
“Sappi’s theme for this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo is ‘Seed. Thrive. Earn’, Sappi says, adding: “Sappi, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of speciality papers, has indeed planted a seed by recognising the rapidly growing importance of sublimation papers for digital transfer printing.
“At Europe’s most significant trade fair for screen and digital printing, large-format printing and textile printing, visitors to stand 4.2-D20 will have an opportunity to see for themselves the many qualities and diverse applications of Sappi’s papers.”
With so many new developments to learn about and industry friends and peers to catch up with after so long away, a trip to the FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 is certainly worth adding to your diary. Berlin is accessible from most UK airports and offers excellent public transport links, while hotels are in abundance, making the event an extremely attractive proposal for UK visitors.
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