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Got to say, I was unimpressed when I received a marketing email from Kall Kwik saying it was offering half price posters during May. Given that the chain’s strapline is “creative printing, clever thinking” you would think it could come up with a more novel way of getting customers to ‘think big’ about large-format printing, as the email encouraged. Are we our own worst enemies?

I’m just back from Sign and Digital UK, writing up this news and starting to gear up for Fespa 2014 at the end of the month when what falls into my inbox – a reminder to put Drupa in my diary for 31 May – 10 June 2016! Do you plan trips to shows that far ahead?

How many new wide-format textile printers have we seen come to market over the past few months and how many more will we see introduced over the coming ones? Enough to make us all think digital textile printing is the next ‘big thing’, and so it might prove – there’s enough argument in its favour. And various reports provide amazing growth stats. But the UK wide-format print community is yet to be convinced, according to Image Reports’ own annual Widthwise survey stats. Of the 343 UK/Ireland wide-format print producers polled this spring, textile printing for home/interiors showed a smaller percentage involvement than last year (5.8% of responding PSPs as opposed to 8.5% in 2013), and even when it comes to the more ‘mainstream’ soft signage applications the number of those involved has fallen (16.9% versus 24.7% last time). So what’s the story?

New printers are coming up like daisies right now, which is hardly surprising given that Spring is show time. But are you welcoming the season’s abundance, or do you dread what it means in terms of investing in new printing plant (no pun intended!)? The 2014 Widthwise data shows that many of you will be looking to buy new kit this year - and that printers are top priority - so hopefully the blossoming offering will be well received.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say a pubic thank you to Roger Bull, co-founder of Genix Imaging, who has been of valuable input to Image Reports and this week retired from the company he set-up 22 years ago with Jeff Vickers. Their stepping away from the company marks a new era for Genix now being steered by its management buy-in team. Good luck to them and to the new chiefs.

The Think Bigger inspirational gallery is becoming more populated as the days go by, but can I take this chance to remind you all to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. a pic/info on any wide-format job that you consider boundary breaking. Our Think Bigger Report has been sent to over 2000 designers/creatives (not 200 as my last blurb stated!) but the more we can highlight print’s potential the better.

At last, it’s happening! As you’ll know if you’re a regular Image Reports reader, I’ve been hammering on for ages about the need for the wide-format print sector to get its possibilities in front of creatives in their own space (which is why we’ve produced the Think Bigger Report and sent it to over 2000 designers/creatives – download it here). And now Fespa, which is in the happy position of having some serious money to throw at the task, is going to be putting the possibilities in front of creatives with the Print Inspiration Rallye. Move that bus….

Does it matter to you where your kit and consumables are made? If so, what are your key considerations – is it all about quality, price and availability/supply, or do other factors contribute to your decision making? I’d be interested in getting your input ahead of Sign and Digital UK and Fespa Digital where we’re bound to see new additions coming into the European marketplace.

“We see print businesses that are doing phenomenally well, with some small companies punching way above their weight because they have good strategy for growth, but we also see many blocks to success within the print sector. The weaknesses we see in companies are a lack of: high quality professional management; strategic direction and business planning; e-commerce capability; modern sales process; and focus on skills development.”

Fespa’s call for votes in relation to its awards made me think again about how much marketing value companies can get from involvement in awards schemes etc. Do you enter competitions of any type – local business awards etc. – and if so, do you find them a valuable part of your profile building?

If you are still at the ExCeL, or just back, let me know if anything wide-format orientated caught your eye at the show. Perhaps it was the Croatian-manufactured Azon Q UV printer being demonstrated by new UK distributor IGS? Let me know what you think.

I can’t hear much in terms of Budget response from the other print trade associations and bodies. What’s happened to the GPMA (the Graphics, Print and Media Alliance) which, when it was formed last June (initially known as GAMA - Graphics and Media Alliance) and representing Fespa UK, British Association for Print and Communication (BAPC), Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), British Coatings Federation (BCF), Picon, the Process and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), and the Rubicon Network, said its purpose was to “provide the sector with a single authoritative voice”? I can’t say it’s coming across loud and strong.

What’s your feeling about niche product development? I ask because the findings of the 2014 Widthwise Survey are now not only in but analysed, and they tell a very interesting story about strategic diversification. No, I’m not going to tell you more – you’ll have to wait until the Widthwise Report reveals all and we present the key findings in the May issue. Then you’ll see there’s still plenty of room to manoeuvre so it’s probably worth bearing that in mind as you investigate new products at the upcoming trade shows.

Do you have a UV flatbed yet? If so, what’s its ROI looking like? I ask because, as Roland moves into the market, I’m wondering to what extent those of you operating such kit are getting the full value of its higher margin creative and bespoke application possibilities. If you’ve found a particularly lucrative niche I’d be interested in hearing about it - whether the info is for possible publication, or just between you, me and flatbed.