The UK’s only dedicated show for general commercial and digital print returns to its regular Birmingham venue in late September, and it’s going to include a textiles flavour, with DtF in the forefront. To help you plan your visit and make the most of your time at the NEC, here are highlights of what to expect
As the industry enters its longest uninterrupted – and usually most profitable – period in the gap between the late August summer public holiday and Christmas, The Print Show is a timely opportunity to have a look at product developments and applications to help print businesses of all types plan to make the most of that time and beyond into 2024.
The show’s conference programme revolves around the revamped Knowledge Zone and covers topics like growing sales, going green, and diversifying your products and workforce. This year’s speakers will give direct advice to businesses and bring a range of experiences to the show from the worlds of print, signage, retail, packaging and waste management. Their presentations will include advice on how to grow sales and revenue through opportunities in web solutions, garment print, and sustainability.
Building on its DTF launch in early 2023, InkTec will be exhibiting at The Print Show, showcasing its DTF solution range together with Colourbyte, one of its first DTF resellers.
InkTec’s DTF Solution range, first shown in the UK at Printwear & Promotion Live in February, includes the company’s DTF printer, oven / shaker, full colour set of DTF inks and film. The stand will also feature InkTec’s newly launched UV DTF inks, which suit bespoke applications from promotional materials through to tailored branding for mass production.
This will be complemented by InkTec’s range of fully-compatible solvent, aqueous, dye sublimation, UV and latex inks, plus its portfolio of large format media, suitable for banners, roll-ups, window films, floor graphics and more. All are affordable, premium products designed to work with a range of large format printers.
Resolute DTF will launch a new multi-function DtF and other large format print device at the show, plus a novel powderless DtF system. The latest iteration of Resolute’s R-Jet Pro line is the Multi-Function V series of printers. These will handle DtF thermal transfer media but can also print posters and labels, potentially combining two different print types into one unit, bringing greater flexibility and reduced cost and footprint.
A powerless DtF system is also to be revealed. No detail has been provided about the ink type or technology used but Resolute claims ‘super soft, high-quality prints’ from the process and describes it as ‘a stunning breakthrough in printing’.
Resolute managing director Colin Marsh will also be presenting a session ‘DtF – what’s it all about?‘ at 12:00pm on Tuesday 19 September at the show, explaining how the process works and how printers can diversify into garment decoration.
Resolute’s R-Jet PRO DTF V4i supports DtF and other roll-based print production from the one unit
Launched to help the packaging and print sector to achieve more in sustainable production, CarbonQuota will be at The Print Show. The company claims to have the largest independent database of carbon emissions in the sector and the most granular carbon calculation engine. It uses this to help businesses to achieve net-zero and reduce their carbon emissions within operations.
One example of this is for packaging suppliers where CarbonQuota will measure the carbon footprints at a granular level including substrates, production, consumables, transport and end-of-life, which enables businesses to offer accurate carbon disclosures.
The company also offers certification such as Carbon Measured Packaging, Carbon Reduced Print and Zero Carbon Operation. At the show it will be demonstrating its ‘plug-and-play’ automated carbon calculators.
Specialist print manufacturing business DecTek offers a range of products under its brand such as trade print, commercial print, small-format print, and large-format graphics and products such as wallpaper.
Having started out producing dome resin badges almost 20 years ago, the company has since grown to offer a host of eclectic products with the company describing itself as the ‘Willy Wonka of the print industry’.
Print-and-cut specialist Graphtec will showcase the Mutoh printing machines for which it is the recently-appointed UK distributor. These will include the ValueJet and XpertJet Pro lines, which support various industries and creative needs, including signage, textiles and indoor/outdoor graphics.
In addition to the Mutoh printers, Graphtec GB will also showcase its own range of cutters, featuring both the FC-9000 and CE-7000 series. Graphtec says these are known for their precision and reliability and suit a range of intricate cutting tasks, from vinyl cutting to contour cutting and other applications.
Following a successful 2022 attendance, Very Displays, the trade-only producer of soft signage and printed products, will return to the show this year. The company has over 50 years of combined experience and offers everything from a single roller banner to multiple display solutions. It is taking a larger stand for 2023.
Your Print Specialists (YPS) is returning to The Print Show after several years’ absence. The YPS stand will see the debut of the Moditech EWS Electronic Work Station (EWS), an applicator table with a wide range of features including electronically controlled pressure roller, tilt function and easy delivery that YPS describes as ‘more than laminator’.
Visitors to the YPS stand will also be able to see Mimaki’s DTF (direct to film) TxF150-75 printer and Ai1 Pro shaker oven will also be featured, catering to the current interest in garment decoration using this cost-effective technology. Roland TrueVis VG3-540 print and-cut will also be in operation on the stand.
