New colour management feature to be launched at FESPA
FESPA Global Print Expo 2019, to be held in Munich from May 14-17, is Europe's largest exhibition for screen and digital wide format print, textile printing and signage. Visitors can experience the latest products and innovations on display from over 700 exhibitors over four days. Exhibitions director Roz Guarnori gives a detailed overview and shares key trends expected at the show.
What can visitors expect from FESPA Global Print Expo 2019?
FESPA Global Print Expo 2019 will take place from May 14 to 17 at Messe Munich in Germany, covering digital, textile and screen printing as well as non-printed signage. There will be over 700 exhibitors filling six halls, ranging from major industry brands to smaller independent companies, providing visitors with an opportunity to engage and network with a broad mix of suppliers. Bringing together so many technology suppliers under one roof is what makes FESPA the leading destination event for international print service providers (PSPs) and sign-makers.
What are the trends worth highlighting? How will these be reflected at FESPA Global Print Expo 2019?
Our FESPA Print Census identified six dominant trends that are shaping the current wide format market: textile printing, environmental considerations, customer demands, digital technology investment, an evolving product mix, and optimism in the industry.
We have used the findings from our Print Census, as well as feedback from visitors to FESPA 2018, to ensure that the content and our show features are reflective of these trends and address the needs of the speciality print industry. We have also based the seminar content within the Trend Theatre on these key areas, as highlighted by the FESPA Print Census.
A good example of how we have used the census insight to inform the development of a new feature is Colour L*A*B*, as one in three respondents stated that they intend to invest in colour management technology and training within the next two years as part of a wider focus on consistency and customer satisfaction.
Over the past decade, textile printing has been a significant growth area and we expect this to continue at FESPA 2019 and our other global shows. In addition to Print Make Wear, FESPA 2019 will show a multitude of textile printing technology covering garment decoration and apparel printing, as well as promotional items, direct to garment, printed interior décor and more.
Sustainability and environmental concerns were also highlighted as key trends in the Print Census. This year we are looking to showcase more sustainable substrates within Print Make Wear and Printeriors, as well as the use of water-based inks for the garments in Print Make Wear.
The last FESPA in Munich took place in 2014. How has FESPA changed over the last five years?
The show proposition has changed and grown quite significantly since 2014 with the new event strategy and the change in cycle to the now annual FESPA Global Print Expo. The last time FESPA took place in Munich, it was a FESPA Digital event, which meant the show was purely focused on digital print technology. However, in 2017 we took the decision to provide the global speciality print community with a comprehensive yearly event covering all technologies, processes and applications. This means that the most noticeable difference from 2014 is that the event will be bigger, broader and will showcase a wider variety of technology processes.
Our feature programme has also evolved over the last five years. We now have a range of new features including Printeriors, Print Make Wear and Colour L*A*B*, which shows FESPA's commitment to investment in education and best practice, guided by market trends and visitor feedback.
How many exhibitors are taking part in the expo?
Out of the six halls that FESPA 2019 will occupy at Messe Munich, two (B6 and A6) will be dedicated to textile printing. There will be over 170 exhibitors involved in garment decoration and manufacturing, including direct-to-garment, sublimation printing and screen printing. Exhibitors include Anatol, Hebbecker, Kornit Digital, MHM, M&R, ROQ and Vastex. We have a host of garment decoration companies exhibiting at this year's event for the first time. These include Dongguan Prosub Technology Co Ltd, Godalsp, InterStitch OÜ, Kingmo Colors Co Ltd, Wowshark Trading Co Ltd and ZSK Stickmaschinen Gmbh. There will also be exhibitors outside the two halls who will showcase textile printing solutions; so we recommend that visitors explore all six halls. For our full exhibitor list visit: www.fespaglobalprintexpo. com/welcome/Exhibitors_2019
What, in your opinion, will be the must-see stands for textile printers and garment decorators?
There are a host of 'must-see' stands for visitors to explore at this year's event. For direct-togarment printing, Kornit Digital will demonstrate its latest products for entry level and mass production, while exhibitors, including Aeoon, Brother, Epson, Impression Technology, Polyprint and Ricoh, will all have a strong presence at FESPA 2019. We are looking forward to seeing US brand Omniprint exhibiting this year for the first time in Europe.
As always, screen printing is well represented at FESPA, with automatic and manual solutions being demonstrated by MHM, ROQ, M&R, Hebbecker, Anatol, Vastex and Adelco. For visitors looking for opportunities in transfer and decorative print customisation, we have a range of exhibitors, including Transmatic, Walter Schulze, Siser, Forever, Chemica and Stahls, showcasing solutions in this area. Other major exhibitors include MS and its partners JK Group, Caldera and Kiian, which can be found in hall B6, as well as Mimaki. For visitors looking for both direct-to-textile and sublimation printing, Aleph, Roland, Epson, EFI and HP are certainly worth a visit. Cutting solutions for the customisation and production of digitally printed garments can be found across FESPA, with Hasler, Gerber, Zund and Summa the 'must-see' for the latest in automated cutting.
Going to FESPA is a big investment for many of our readers. How do you think attending the show will benefit their businesses?
FESPA 2019 is a leading platform for technology innovation and the only event dedicated to wide format printing in Europe. We believe it is the best place for visitors looking for inspiration to explore the latest print technology, media and inks. Bringing a range of major players and smaller brands under one roof makes FESPA the leading destination event for international PSPs and signmakers. Visitors will also have the opportunity to network with peers from the global speciality print industry, as well as be inspired by our show features. So, for visitors looking to take their business further, optimise their production capabilities or explore the possibilities that the industry has to offer, FESPA is the place to be. (HO)
Can visitors expect to see any new features at FESPA 2019?
Yes, this year we are excited to launch our new colour management feature, Colour L*A*B*. This will be a technology showcase and supporting conference programme designed to help visitors improve colour management practices within their business.
Located in Hall B4, Colour L*A*B* will offer visitors a structured, end-to-end overview of all the individual elements contributing to professional colour management, including monitors, measurement and calibration tools, lightboxes, software solutions and print output devices.
The walk-through showcase will feature representative technologies from a range of specialist suppliers, supported by explanatory graphics and a printed guide outlining the processes and technologies. To show the importance of good colour management, test files will be used in live demonstrations to illustrate different printed outcomes across a range of media.
Visitors are invited to participate in free, pre-bookable, guided Colour L*A*B* tours with colour management consultant Paul Sherfield, who will provide detailed explanations of the processes and answer visitors' questions on how they can improve their own practices. A conference area will also offer a focused programme of free educational presentations from a range of subject matter experts.
Are there any returning features to look out for? Have those developed since last year?
Following a successful launch at FESPA 2018, our interactive fast fashion factory, Print Make Wear, will return to FESPA Global Print Expo. Like last year, the feature will focus on fashion textiles, garments and printed accessories and will highlight every step in the screen and digital print production processes, from design to finished product. This year's feature will be double the size of last year's, with an even more comprehensive range of garment printing technology solutions and consumables.
Print Make Wear will also incorporate an area for presentations and debates as well as a catwalk for daily fashion shows. We have enhanced the visitor experience with two separate guided tours, one with a focus on directto-garment production and the other tailored to visitors interested in roll-to-roll production. We are excited to be working with illustrator Jasper Goodall on the designs for the direct-to-garment prints that will be printed in Print Make Wear, as well as with young fashion designer, Aminah Hamzaoui, who is collaborating with FESPA on the design of the garments being produced using the roll-to-roll technologies.
Highlighting the possibilities of print for interior décor, Printeriors will be returning for its fourth year and will follow a similar format to FESPA 2018. This year, Printeriors will display for the first time both interior and exterior applications, as the feature will span the atrium of Messe Munich and the external hospitality area.
The Trend Theatre will also return with seminar sessions taking place each day of the show, including daily panel discussions on trend-led content that will explore key areas in the industry. The full conference programme can be found online at https://www.fespaglobalprintexpo. com/trend-theatre.
