FAIRGROUND ATTRACTIONS
Can Sign and Digital UK entice you to Birmingham in April? Here's what the event promises to deliver in what is a busy 2010 show calendar.
Sign and Digital UK really kicks of the trade show calendar for this sector, and as always promises to highlight innovative and creative technologies and applications, so to help you decide what to include on your schedule here's an overview of the key show elements and exhibitor stands.
Roland
Stand E20
The first European showing of the versatile VersaCamm VS-640 printer/cutter will take place at the show, where Roland also promises to showcase "practical money-making and creative ideas". The 64in-wide printer/cutter, which is compatible with a wide range of media, is available in three ink configurations: eight-colour CMYK plus metallic silver and white; six-colour CMYK plus Lc, Lm; and dual CMYK. The unit's ink effect capabilities, handling and price point (RRP ?17,999) should make it a star attraction.
Alongside the new VersaCamm and the rest of the Roland DG cast of productive hardware (such as the AdvancedJet, VersaUV, SolJet Pro III and the whole range of VersaCamms), Roland DG aims to provide inspiration within three zones - Teach Me, Inspire Me and Show Me. The Roland DG Academy will deliver hands-on training and seminars on topics such workflow management using SignLab and Roland VersaWorks, colour management including spot colour reproduction, monitor calibration, and finishing techniques such as lamination. Application techniques for delivering cost-savings and end-to-end production efficiencies will be taught and services-enhancing creative ideas shared.
The Roland DG Academy will also be running a Business Management Masterclass in conjunction with CIMA, designed to explain the rules of business in an enjoyable way. CIMA will be on hand to answer questions.
The Roland Creative Centre will demonstrate how digital print, engraving and 3D technology can be used to produce highly marketable products and Sabur Ink Systems and Xpres Transfer Technology will demonstrate applications to help companies diversify. Sabur show the Roland VersaArt RS-640 wide-format dye-sublimation producing items such as soft signage, clothing and floor mats. Xpres will show its GemTec solution for garment rhinestone customisation as well as cut and applied textile garment films for producing single and multi-coloured vinyl transfers.
Hybrid Services
Stand D10
As Mimaki's exclusive UK and Ireland distributor, Hybrid Services, will host the launch of the TX400-1800 direct-to-textile printer and also debut the desktop A3 LED UV direct-to-product Mimaki UJF-3042. The TX400 has been developed for those interested in providing volume, water-based, direct-to-polyester or dye-sublimated flags, POS and soft signage work. The Mimaki UJF-3042 meanwhile, is aimed at those looking to diversify into promotional products - such as small signage, badges, labels etc. The printer's cold cure LED UV technology allows you to print substrate up to 50mm thick.
Also on show will be Mimaki's core sign and graphics printers, like the wide-format and baby grand JV33 and JV5, the JFX-1631 grand-format LED UV cure printer and the Mimaki CJV30 combined printer/cutter.
Drytac Europe
Stand F54
Two low-VOC liquid coatings for Gicl?e/fine art and outdoor applications will be introduced by Drytac: EnduraCoat Fine Art and EnduraCoat. Both can be used with Drytac's water-based liquid laminators or applied by hand.
EnduraCoat Fine Art, available in Gloss and Satin finish, has been developed for the protection and enhancement of canvas/Gicl?e prints and is said to eliminate the 'micro air bubble' issue found in some Gicl?e protection coatings.
EnduraCoat Intego is a quick-drying, low-cost gloss coating designed for mop-on applications. It is virtually odour free and incorporates UV inhibitors making it suitable for three years outdoors.
Examples will be available of the stand, where the AFC 1600 water-based flood coater will also be in action with live demonstrations throughout the day. Among the various products on the stand will also be the new DES-6 Edger
B&P Graphic Supplies
Stand G22
B&P Graphic Supplies is bringing to the market AquaRes Resin inks which it says combine the health and safety advantages of water-based inks with the reliability of solvent inks or UV inks. The AquaRes range has been developed by Sepiax (part of the Gernot Langes-Swarovski group) over the last three years to run in existing solvent machines using piezo printing head technology with a simple changeover process. The inks are available in CMYK and light colours (c,m).
Oc?
Stand E10
The official UK launch of the Oc? Arizona 550 GT flatbed printer is set to garner plenty of attention, being the highest-capacity model in the series with an output speed of up to 40m2/hr (see cover story). It will have pride of place alongside the Oc? Arizona 350 GT UV curable flatbed printer, both powered by ONYX ProductionHouse Oc? Edition software. Other products showcased will include Oc?'s ColorWave 600, the first high-speed TonerPearl colour printer using patented Oc? CrystalPoint technology. Oc? will also be teaming up with Z?nd to display the Z?nd G3 L2500 digital cutting system.
Fujifilm
Stand G10
Getting it's first European show outing will be the Acuity Advance HS which Fujifilm says delivers near-photographic quality images at typical production speeds of 40m2/hr - but there's also an 'express' mode of 65m2/hr for images viewed from greater distances. As with the other models in the series, this version can print edge-to-edge and there's a white ink option. A roll media unit can be added too.
Fujifilm will also show various products in its euromedia range. David Burton, European euromedia sales director at Fujifilm, says: "By combining the first European showing of the Acuity Advance HS and our euromedia range, smaller printers right through to high-end, high productivity print service providers will find solutions for both roll-to-roll and rigid material decoration on our stand."
Mutoh
Stand D22
Keep your eyes peeled for newcomers on the Mutoh stand which will be home to its entire range of wide-format inkjet printers (eco solvent, bio solvent, mild solvent, solvent, UV, dye sublimation, textile) and professional sign cutting plotters.
The Viper TX Extreme, which uses water-based direct disperse inks and will print directly onto a wide selection of textiles at speeds up to 37m2/h, will be shown in 65in and 88in widths. Utilising VOC free water-based direct disperse inks, Viper TX Extreme machines will print on textile with open and closed structure and are suited for low-cost high-quality sample creation (one-offs) as well as small production volumes.
The 64in Zephyr UV machine, for roll-to-roll and rigid board printing up to a thickness of 20mm, will also be on the stand. Various Kona cutting plotters will be demonstrated too.
Eurostand
Stand C42
The newly launched 'environmentally-friendly Planet display system will be a key feature at Eurostand, whose national account manager Sam Mooney says he has heard the voice of the green consumer growing ever-louder in recent months. "There's definitely been an increase in the number of people consciously and deliberately seeking out ethical options. With the Planet range, people get enormous satisfaction from being given the opportunity to choose products that align with their own ethical values."
The Planet range of roll-ups, tension banner and literature display stands uses only renewable bamboo. Mooney adds: "Sure, it is about producing products made from materials that come from sustainable sources. But it is also important that when the products reach the end of their useful life, they are recyclable and, ultimately, biodegradable."
Alcan Composites
Stand H30
The interplay between colour, form and functionality will be a focus on the Alcan stand where the company will show a variety of materials and processing examples for shop design, graphic arts, interior design, POS/POP and exhibition building. Product developments within the Forex product family and additional decorative Dibond and Kapa surfaces will be in the spotlight. For example, Dibond mirror is now available in a dark anthracite shade that creates more light and reflection transparency indoors. It can also be digitally printed to carry advertising messages.
Roll up, roll up
When: 13 - 15 April
Where: Halls 6-8, NEC, Birmingham
(use postcode B40 1NT in satellite navigation systems)
Times: 10am - 5pm Tuesday and Wednesday
10am - 4.30pm Thursday
Cost: Free, but pre-register online to save time
Website: www.signuk.com
Step inside.
2010 sees an extended seminar programme within Sign and Digital UK, with a brand new Software Theatre running alongside the well established Adobe and Corel talks and workshops. The full programmes can be found online at the show website, but here's a peek at what you can expect.
Software Theatre
Declam (10.45am - 11.15am): Benefits of CAD in Signage - looking at ArtCam for 2D and 3D signage.
Touch Systems?(11.30am - Noon):?Bring clarity to your business?- ?how Clarity Professional Software, by combining customers, quotations, job orders and invoicing into a single solution, can help you win more business whilst reducing administration.
Caldera?(12.15pm - 12.45pm): ?Wide-format print, cut and finishing - exploring the opportunities and challenges in ten key points.
Innova Solutions?(1.45pm - 2.15pm): NovActive and NovaDura - ?an overview of two really innovative signage solutions.
Adobe Theatre
Adobe Bridge (10.30am - 11.15am) is considered the heart of the creative or production environment, boasting new review modes, full screen previews, task based workspaces and faster performance. Adobe Bridge CS4 is an essential easy-to-use media manager for organising, locating and viewing all of your files.
Adobe Photoshop (Part 1: 11.30am - 12.15pm), will encompass time-saving techniques in the creation of stunning cut-outs, monochrome imagery, and understanding best practice when sharpening images.
Snow Leopard (12.30pm - 1.15pm) is the latest Mac operating system. Boasting refinements, updates and new additions, this talk shows how you can unleash the power of your hardware and help make your life easier.
Adobe Photoshop (Part 2: 1.45pm - 2.30pm) promises to deliver you with the necessary skills to correctly set-up your colour settings, understand how-to accurately soft-proof your image onscreen and finally produce a perfect proof. Or alternatively, if you simply want to have your questions answered, everything will be covered.
The Adobe InDesign (2.45pm - 3.30pm) seminar will be mastering typography, whether you're creating a trade show display, pop-up banners or a company brochure. The seminar is crammed full of indispensable learning to ensure you realise the potential of InDesign. It will cover classic typography, creative type, font tips, invaluable advice and money saving techniques.
Adobe Illustrator (3.45pm - 4.30pm) has evolved into the essential design tool for creative professionals. Learn how you can create multiple artboards, smart guides, transparent gradients, accurate clipping masks, an improved appearance panel and separations preview.
Adobe Acrobat Pro (4.30pm - 5.00pm) will be previewing and preflighting PDF files. Learn how-to control costs and reduce errors with automated output controls to preview, preflight, correct and prepare PDF files for high-end print production and digital publishing.
Corel Theatre
A full timetable of events at the Corel Theatre can be found on the show website, but here's an indication of what's on offer:
CorelDraw Graphics Suite X5 (10.15am - 11am and again at 4pm) is aimed an anyone who illustrates, does layouts, traces, photo-edits or create Web graphics and animations.
Vehicle Signage with CorelDraw X5 (11.15am - Noon) will look at creating quick, cost-effective clipart for professional output and print. With more than 2,000 new templates, 1,000 OpenType fonts and a collection of more than 10,000 clipart and digital images, it is worth a look if that's your bag.
Webgraphics with CorelDraw X5 (2pm - 2.45pm) - helping designers more effectively create, preview and optimise web content with the new Pixels mode. A new integrated web animation tool makes it easier and faster to design, and with new Export for Web mode will make it easy to optimise your settings and achieve the highest graphics.