There is only one major topic on the lips of the printing industry in the UK (and for the very many international visitors as well, of course!): IPEX. The UK’s premier printing exhibition, held every four years at the NEC in Birmingham, kicks-off on Tuesday of next week, May 18. If you haven’t already done so (and I really can’t believe that you haven’t!) pre-book your show ticket here right now. It will save you £30.00. This edition of PIND will be dedicated to the delights of IPEX, and if you have already pre-registered you might like to add some of the following suggestions to your “My IPEX” facility within the show’s web site.
In saying that, my first tip is something that you can’t add to “My IPEX”: it’s to pick up a copy of the mini guide to the halls (a Z-folded pocket sized leaflet) available free of charge at the registration desks. There will be a special offer for all UK printers on this leaflet. Make sure you get yours! Two other "freebies" to make sure you get your hands on: the IPEX Daily, a daily version of PrintWeek produced by exhibitors and published at the show itself, carrying news and views from both exhibitors and visitors; and PrintWeek's excellent Technology Report, a supplement sent out with the May 14 edition that should also be available to IPEX visitors - keep your eyes open for it.Let’s start our equipment guide at the very beginning, in pre-press. For the very latest in UK manufactured computer-to-plate solutions, you need to visit Marlowe Graphic Services, where information regarding the FFEI range of products awaits. Late breaking news also offers some great news for owners of HighWater CtP equipment, so do also visit Marlowe to talk about these products. To drive a CtP, imagesetter, large format device, DI press, or even a digital output device, you need a RIP, and there is no better solution in the independent RIP stakes than StudioRIP. The product will be shown on the same stand as Marlowe equipment.
More computer-to-plate offerings, including very cost effective polyester-based CtP products, visit the Apex Digital Graphics stand. Polyester-based product comes from ECRM, whilst the company’s metal plate solutions are provided by Screen.
I guess in the full workflow picture you could argue that MIS comes before pre-press! Well, whichever way one maps it out, for the very best in digital MIS you need to visit TimeHarvest. The company keeps up with the very latest in technology, as already highlighted in recent months with its cloud computing solution, and its iPhone application.
One process allied to pre-press activity focuses on quality control. Regular monitoring of the image quality on the plate is critical to achieving a consistent printing standard. See Ripware with its Centurfax EasyDot product for the very latest in this technology, as used by the PrintWeek Brochure Printer of the Year, Chapter Press.
Having produced our plates, we now need to print the job, and a full range of printing equipment will be exhibited by the team from Ryobi in conjunction with UK distributor Apex Digital Graphics. From the very latest in B3 format presses, compact B2 machines, to newly introduced B2 product, Ryobi has it all, right through to the very latest in B1 equipment. The company will also highlights its LED-UV drying solutions.One essential ingredient for litho printing is of course the ink, and our friends at Van Son will be on hand to discuss and detail the very latest in ink technology for both litho, and flexographic and gravure printing. The company is especially keen to promote its Quickson PERFECT four-colour set, which has been blended specifically for ISO12647-2 print production.
Products for conventional printing, such as those already described, will certainly continue to thrive, but it is digital where many visitors will be focusing their attention, and there will be no better place to start than one of the digital pioneers, Xeikon. Commercial, transactional, and label presses will be to the fore on the Punch Graphix stand, as well as its excellent X-800 front-end solution.Back on the convention route, used equipment is an essential ingredient in the print industry mix, enabling companies to move forward to new formats or new technologies at significantly less expensive prices. One of the UK’s leading used equipment businesses is DPM. A key player on the international stage, DPM exports many presses as well as serving the UK market.
A new print finishing breakthrough will be unveiled by DPM at this IPEX. See the stand and hopefully copies of the show daily for further information when you arrive at the show!
Also in the finishing mix will be M Partners and its range of GUK folding and inserting equipment. This highly specified machinery is particularly sought after in the pharmaceutical finishing market, but all forms of miniature and intricate folding can be undertaken. M Partners also expects to unveil some exciting news one day one of the show: visit them to find out more!
Well, hopefully that’s a start for you! It will, of course, be fascinating to see the very latest trends emerge, and to see what topics are hot at the show. I will hope to round up the best of the news next Friday, mid-show, and then summarise the event the following week. Your thoughts, comments and opinions about IPEX will all be gratefully received. Please do send them through to PIND.editor@gmail.com
Just one more final thing, which we just couldn’t ignore: UK iPad pricing was released during this last week. As an interesting point of comparison (well, it will be when it arrives!) I stumped up £65.00 of my own personal cash for a Chinese 7-inch Android-powered tablet this week because I want to see how good (or how bad!) is the machine you get for that relative “pocket money” amount. It’s coming from Hong Kong via paddle steamer, so sometime when IPEX is just a dim and distant memory I will report to you my findings on this intriguing bit of kit. In the meantime I think it’s going to look something like this . . .
Oh, and just one final, final thing: you are going to IPEX aren’t you?! Are you involved in print? Do you make a living from print related product of any kind? You need to be there! Everything about the print industry is changing. The best place to see the latest trends, the newest product introductions, and chat to the people “in the know” is at IPEX. You can’t afford to miss it! See you there!
PIND006
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