FESPA 2017: Dare to Print Different

More than 20,000 attendees traveled to FESPA 2017 in Hamburg, Germany, May 8-12, to take part in the world’s largest wide-format event. With 700 digital print manufacturers from 139 countries exhibiting at the tradeshow, attendees (10 percent from Asia) needed ample time to walk the halls, so much that the majority of visitors spent more than two days at the event.

There seems to be no limit with digital print’s capabilities today, and exhibitors at FESPA 2017 proved that. Haptic effects, including Braille, were being printed via Durst’s Rho P10 250 HS Plus, Avery Dennison was printing wraps for vacuum cleaners, and Epson partnered with fashion designer Richard Quinn for haute couture womenswear using its SureColor F-series dye-sublimation printers. Below are just some of the top takeaways Big Picture witnessed at this year’s five-day global meeting point. 

What the Experts Are Saying About the Digital Print Industry’s Future

“Textiles is the application in the digital print market that will grow the most in the next five years,” says Scott Schinlever, senior VP, EFI. He considers the top drivers for PSPs to move into soft signage to be an upscale look, great margins, lighter weight which reduces shipping cost, and an easier install. EFI is also looking into the ceramics industry as 75 percent of the market utilizes digital printing. 

Latest market trends according to HP? Shorter, faster, different; environmental health and safety; and digital décor.

“There’s been a large increase – 10 to 15 percent per year – in demand of wrapping films,” says Martine Bouvet, Market and Development, Mactac Europe, specifically for the signage and retail markets as well as personalization in the home.

“Instead of painting, wrap it,” says Shaun Hobson, senior business director, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions Europe, in regard to vehicle wraps and architecture. “It’s all about customization and personalization.”

“There will be double-digit growth for digital textiles that are produced locally, faster, and cheaper,” – Tony Cox, business manager, Sun Chemical.

“Window graphics for the fast food and retail industry” are what Drytac’s customers purchase the most, says Mark Oosterhuis, president.

“The next five years will be huge for textiles because of shipping costs and recyclability options,” Steve Wood, marketing manager, Fujifilm.

“Color matching is everything for high-end interior décor digital prints,” says Ekaterina Yaschuk, owner and designer, Meystyle. 

What’s to Come?

Be on the lookout for new wide-format machines later this year at Print 17 and SGIA Expo: 

● Fujifilm showcased a technical preview of its B1PE7 printer for the P-O-P and indoor/outdoor advertising market
● Durst hints at launching a new large-format machine later this year
● Inca Digital promises a single-pass printer for the corrugated and industrial market
● 3D printed textures and layers for the interior décor, indoor advertising, and packaging markets are on the rise. European manufacturer Veika’s booth was constantly filled with attendees eyeing their Dimense 3D printing technology (not yet available in the US).

FESPA 2018 will take place next year in Berlin May 15-18.

Check out @Adrienne_BigPic on Twitter to see her tweets from FESPA.

Also, visit Big Picture's calendar to keep up with the industry's upcoming conferences and events, and follow @BigPictureMag on Twitter for live updates from the biggest wide-format shows.