The global wide format print show FESPA Global Print Expo 2023, opened doors with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on 23 May, 2023, in Munich, having a throng of visitors waiting in anticipation to head for the exhibition halls to have a feel of the latest technologies and innovative solutions in sign, display, textile printing, and promotional products from around the world.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Michael Ryan, Head of Global Development & FESPA Global Print Expo, spoke about this year’s theme ‘New Perspectives’. “The theme is all about new solutions, new people, new ways of doing business, and endless possibilities.”
Speaking about the large number of visitors on the inaugural day, Ryan comments, “It’s great to see so many people at the opening ceremony, ready to come in.”
With Europe easing travel restrictions completely, the FESPA global expo expects a wider coverage, especially from the Asian countries. “Walking around the halls, everything looks so fantastic with loads of new applications and solutions for the industry. And it’s great to see everybody back,” adds Ryan, echoing the thoughts of a slew of major brands for whom the wait has finally come to an end and is ready to showcase their innovative products.
Brother (Hall B1, Booth D11) is presenting two new products – the GTX600 Extra Colors direct-to-garment (DTG) printer, the newest edition to the GTX series, and the WF1-L640 latex wide format printer.
While the GTX600, built for industrial level performance, has been expanded to include orange and green for an intense colour spectacle and more vibrancy, the WF1-L640 impresses with outstanding print results on coated and uncoated media, with high-resolution prints up to 1200dpi and a printable width up to 1615mm.
Canon (Hall B2, Booth B10) has its latest flagship product, the new Colorado M-series, the first roll-to-roll large format graphics printer platform that is modular in speed configuration and media handling, on display. Boasting new features such as white ink printing, modular design options, versatility, and upgradability, the Colorado M-series is a game-changer in the large format printing industry. The scalable M-series offers a choice of output speeds with the Colorado M3 or M5. Also with the new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, the Colorado M-series users can expand their typical product offering, printing on heavy structured, transparent, coloured, reflective, and magnetic materials.
Epson (Hall B1, Booth D30) is showcasing the SureColor F2200, the new DTG printer. Ideal for medium-volume businesses or start-up companies that need high levels of accuracy and flexibility, with fast turnaround times, the F2200 can produce complex designs on a variety of garments using Epson’s advanced PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead technology that provides faster printing and data processing speeds. Custom-designed T-shirts, photos, and canvas applications to bespoke mugs, notebooks, phone cases, and water bottles are included in Epson’s ‘personalisation zone’. The stand features a variety of goods – from colourfully-wrapped jet skis to haute couture with original designs on a range of fabrics from some of the world’s leading fashion designers.
Mimaki (Hall B1, Booth B10), one of FESPA’s gold sponsors, is displaying its flagship printers and cutters for the sign graphic, industrial, and textile markets, including the recently announced TxF150-75 direct-to-film (DTF) machine. Making its international show debut at FESPA, the TxF150-75, Mimaki’s first DTF printer has a maximum print width of 800mm, and uses a piezo printhead with a maximum print resolution of 1440dpi. Equipped with Mimaki’s other core technologies, which prevents common issues such as poor ink ejection and white ink clogging, ensures that processes are carried out efficiently with minimal intervention needed.
Other notable technologies on display include Mimaki’s flagship sign and display technology from the entry-level 100 series to the high performance 330 series; the entry-model CG-AR series of precision cutting plotters; advanced UV flatbed printers, including the large format JFX600-2513 for industrial printers; and sublimation printers TS100-1600 and TS330-1600 for textile printers.
Besides the product displays, FESPA’s other attractions include Printeriors 2023, celebrating the latest in interior decoration; the two-day World Wrap Masters Final competition that is live on the Munich show floor from today (25-26 May, 2023), testing the skills of the vinyl wrap community; the Sustainability Spotlight that provides the best advice to specialty printers on how to carry their businesses forward in the most sustainable manner; and the FESPA Awards that acknowledges exceptional talent within the global visual communications industry.
FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 concludes tomorrow (26 May, 2023).
