David Savastano, Editor06.06.13
For wide format, industrial and screenprinting, FESPA is one of the top trade shows, and this year’s program, which runs from June 25-29 at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre in London, is likely to be a highlight.
FESPA runs a series of conferences, but its European show is its self-described flagship. Held every three years, the main show draws hundreds of exhibitors and attendees; the 2010 show in Munich drew more than 21,600 attendees.
Much like the SGIA, the largest digital and screen show in the U.S., FESPA has changed over the years from a screen-oriented program to digital. FESPA’s roots began in 1962, when it was known as The Federation of European Screen Printers’ Association; today, it is simply FESPA.
FESPA 2013 has more than 650 exhibitors lined up, and the ink industry will be well represented. Ink industry attendees scheduled to exhibit include, in alphabetical order, BC Inks China (Jiaxing Baichuan Printer Technology Co., Ltd.), Bordeaux Digital Printink Ltd., Chimigraf Iberica SL, Eckart GmbH, EFI, Encres Dubuit, Fujifilm Europe, INX Digital International Co., Marabu GmbH & Co. KG, Nazdar, Nor-Cote International Ltd., Sawgrass Europe, Stork Printing, Sun Chemical, Tulip Inks, Unico Ink and Van Son.
Among the attendees, Sun Chemical is highlighting its wide range of Streamline aftermarket digital ink systems. The Streamline TX range is a direct print sublimation textile ink for polyester media that is designed for soft signage applications.
Sun Chemical’s new Streamline Optima HPQ solvent-based inks are designed for wide format printers, and offer improved head stability, color gamut and print performance. The solvent-based Streamline ESL HPQ and Ultima HPQ ranges will also be shown at FESPA.
INX Digital is showcasing its portfolio of digital products at FESPA 2013, including its Prodigy, EVOLVE Advanced Digital Solutions and Triangle UV brand lines. The company is also debuting its new MSS eco-solvent inkjet inks and SMF true solvent inks.
Designed for Mimaki JV33 and JV34 wide format printers, and formulated to be color and chemically compatible with Mimaki SS21 inks, MSS inkjet inks are fast drying and compatible with vinyl banner media.
SMF is ideal for HP Scitex XL 1200 and XL 1500, GrandJet and TJ8300, reducing energy consumption with decreased drying temperature settings on the printer. SMF inks will be available only in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
EVOLVE Advanced Digital Solutions features the NW140 UV digital narrow web press, equipped with UV LED-cure single pass capabilities and a Spartanics X140 laser die-cutting station. INX Digital will also show the CP100 UV digital cylindrical printer.
Bordeaux Digital Printink will be showcasing its wide range of digital inks, including its new Vivid Magenta (VM), an addition to its low and mild solvent ink series. VM accentuates red and orange tones for brighter, stronger and higher levels of color accuracy, adding the ability to reproduce more colors and intensity to outdoor and indoor graphics.