Technical

You’ve seen the figures - textile print is having a heyday. Printer manufacturers are pouring R+D funds into the sector as Simon Creasy discovers. But are the new machines ones for your purchasing list?

Roll-to-roll, flatbed and hybrid large-format inkjet printers – we bring you up to speed with the latest offerings and ask manufacturers what’s in the development pipeline.

As we look towards 2019, Simon Creasy asks: what are the benefits of i4.0, what are the chances of it gaining greater traction in 2019, and what are the other key technology trends to look out for over the next 12 months?

Autonomous vehicles - will their development and adoption impact how you do business? Walter Hale considers the issues.

As PSPs seek to wow clients, Simon Creasy asks kit manufacturers about special effects possibilities.

Remember all the publicity LifeArt received by making coffins out of a patented composite material that can be buried but is designed to burn effectively too, so you can really personalise your last journey? Well, there are plenty of other attention grabbing materials out there. Here’s a round-up of the newest.

This Scottish PSP has applied eight years of R&D to a Web-to-print software that is transforming its business model. Could it be something manufacturers take on board and begin to sell to other printers in the sector?

Clarity has become a well known software brand within sign and display print markets, so what plans does its parent company have for this division and its other business sectors - and how will that impact the market?

The Ghent Workgroup (GWG) has written what it believes to be the final draft of the large-format specification. Ahead of its expected publication, David Van Drieesche of four pees - who was instrumental in founding the Ghent PDF Workgroup - brings you up to date on developments for this sector in what is PDF's 25th anniversary year.

If you’re not automating your finishing you’re one of a swiftly decreasing number - at least according to the manufacturers/suppliers of the kit and ‘solutions’ they want to sell you. Here’s an update on their latest offerings to the large-format psp.

Talking about printing inks? Then you’re probably complaining about their rising price. But, as Simon Creasy explains, it’s not all bad - there are plenty of developments that should actually help you make money.

Couldn’t make Sign and Digital or Fespa 2018? Simon Creasy rounds-up the key hardware previews and launches for an armchair update.

What does all the noise surrounding newly introduced Onyx 18 say about development direction at this Canon software subsidiary, and in the large-format market in general?

Ok, so products shown at the major trade shows of 2018 so far highlight where manufacturers have been concentrating their development spend, but where next? We asked a cross section of kit and consumables developers and suppliers for their considerations.