(Image Credit: Kornit Digital)
The marked emphasis at FESPA Amsterdam 2024 on sustainability and eco-friendly innovation further highlights a significant pivot in the print industry’s trajectory.
Leading technology providers recently converged in Amsterdam to showcase their latest advances in printing equipment, product applications, software, materials, and energy-efficient production techniques. Eco-conscious manufacturing is now front of mind for all visitors (and their consumers), underscoring the print sector’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. This shift not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also opens up new avenues and a myriad of commercial opportunities across multiple product sectors.
Print businesses must address the requirements of an increasingly eco-aware consumer base and FESPA Amsterdam didn’t disappoint as a destination for print innovation and ground-breaking industry insight. The convergence of sustainability with cutting-edge technology illustrates the industry's forward-thinking approach, ensuring that the future of print is not just innovative but also responsible.
The show also featured a number of educational showcases, with a packed agenda at both the Personalisation and Sportswear conferences bringing the professional community together to network and absorb industry insights whilst fostering knowledge share from a whole host of experts. At the Sustainability Spotlight, visitors were encouraged to browse a library of innovative, responsibly sources textiles and gather information. Meanwhile, at the Personalise Make Wear–Smart Factory, visitors were able to witness and experience technology for Sportswear manufacturing first hand with an impressive live manufacturing demonstration, fireside chats, and expert guided tours. (More on all of these events in a future article.)
In this review, we highlight innovations and product launches from within our community.
Digital Printing Technologies
Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announced the launch of a full UV print-and-cut solution, consisting of the large-format flatbed UV printer, JFX600-2531 and the flatbed cutting plotter, the CFX-2531.
The flatbed UV printer, JFX600-2531, responds to market demand for a larger print size, following the positive reception of the JFX600-2513 launched in 2021. Offering the same high levels of productivity and maximum resolution of 1,200 dpi, the increased printbed size of 3.1m in length opens up new possibilities for printers, particularly in architectural applications. Due to the expanded printbed, the JFX600-2531 is able to print directly on commonly used architectural substrates, such as glass and plywood, which have a standard size of 3,000mm. Printing on these substrates commonly involve applying a printed film onto the surface, so direct printing allows for the original surface texture of the substrate to remain, excluding the design area.
Agfa unveiled its enhanced and rebranded inkjet printer portfolio, featuring three new machines, at FESPA Global Print Expo under the tagline “Powerful by Nature,” the manufacturer said its printers have been given a fresh identity, “now sporting names of formidable animals that reflect their unique strengths”. The new machines being showcased on its stand include the Jeti Condor RTR5200 S, a 5.2m-wide roll-to-roll printer that can print up to 672 sq. m/hr. and handles a wide variety of flexible substrates at up to three rolls simultaneously. The machine, which is field-upgradable, features CMYK and optional Lc/Lm/Lk and white and varnish for increased design and application options. The launch of this machine—a rebadged version of the EFI Vutek Q5r but with an Agfa service and workflow package—follows Agfa and EFI’s announcement earlier this year that they had joined forces to expand their respective product ranges by adding OEM machines to their portfolios. Also new from Agfa is the Jeti Bronco H3300 S, a 3.3m-wide high-end UV-LED printer that prints a variety of sign and display jobs at up to 248 sq. m/hr. in six colors (CMYK/Lc/Lm) plus white, with optional primer.
Meanwhile, from Kornit Digital, brands and retailers can capitalize on Kornit’s next generation direct-to-garment offering, the Atlas MAX PLUS specifically designed to deliver the highest standards of quality, reliability, and color vibrancy across their businesses. Attendees were also offered a sneak peek at Kornit’s breakthrough, direct-to-film solution, MAX Transfer, enabling both brands and retailers to expand application offerings with a unique hand-feel, enhanced durability, and placement versatility.
New from Roland DG was the VersaSTUDIO BD-8, the first desktop flatbed UV printer in the manufacturer’s VersaSTUDIO series. In addition, Roland DG also showed off its new VersaSTUDIO BY-20, a desktop direct-to-film (DTF) system that also allows users to produce heat transfer graphics from PVC sheets.
Inktec launched their brand new JETRIX printer, the JETRIX LXa5 is a 2.5 x 1.3m LED UV flatbed printer specifically developed to deliver a professional level of large format printing at an economical price. It offers photorealistic printing with Konica Minolta 6PL printheads delivering high resolution printing capabilities. With print speeds up to 37 sq. m/hr. it achieves a maximum resolution of 1440 x 726 dpi and can even take media up to 100mm thick. Designed with the user in mine it has pneumatic pin registration for fast and accurate media placement and a sophisticated anti-crash system to protect print heads.
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. introduced the EFI VUTEk Q3h XP printer, a true high-speed hybrid flatbed/rollfed LED printer, offering superior-quality imaging along with flexible and versatile production-level throughput, and the next-generation 3.2m EFI Pro 33r roll-to-roll LED printer.
The Flora X20 UV hybrid printer powered by Ricoh was shown in Europe for the first time at FESPA. The first compact-footprint hybrid printer co-developed with Flora, following last year’s partnership agreement unveiled by Ricoh incorporates Ricoh printhead technology, ColorGATE RIP software, and ICC profiles, the Flora X20 UV can run rigid and flexible media up to 2m wide and 5.1cm thick on substrates ranging from PVC banners to vinyl and rigid boards.
Vanguard launched new look, advanced user-friendly software, and the first public showing of the VKR3200-HS roll-to-roll printer in its new design. The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is a true roll-to-roll printer delivering phenomenal quality for banner, static cling, wall covering, and other flexible materials. The VKR3200-HS, capable of handling a single roll of 3.2m or any two-roll configuration of up to 1.6m.
Cutting & Processing
When it comes to further boosting cost-effectiveness with innovative solutions, Zünd’s new board-loading extension with UNDERCAM enables semi-automatic board feeding, job identification and registration, all while the production process is ongoing. The resulting efficiency and flexibility of the cutter operation saves both time and cost. The system consists of a cutter extension with a glass plate and UNDERCAM for registering jobs from below. This significantly increases productivity even with applications that involve cutting and creasing on the reverse (top) side of the material.
From Kongsberg, the C24 is equipped with their latest iPC (i-cut Production Console) software, specifically developed to make it even easier for users to harness the power and precision of their equipment and get the most out of their investment. With iPC, you can set up standard production workflows, create simple designs and layouts, and run production manually or fully automated.
Fabrics and Media
Berger Textiles, a leading global supplier of textiles for wide format digital printing, interior decor and apparel, unveiled EVO, an extended range of GRS-certified textiles covering all soft signage applications as part of its wider Sustainability Manifesto. The EVO range delivers on Berger Textiles commitment to a more circular business, offering a complete set of more sustainable textiles produced using GRS-certified recycled yarn, without compromising on performance.
Premier Digital Textiles, Europe’s leading supplier for quality coated fabrics for digital textile printing, introduced two pioneering products at this year’s FESPA exhibition. Committed to pushing boundaries in the textile industry, the company were proud to unveil their 100% recycled cotton, prepped for digital printing, and a revolutionary biodegradable polyester also designed for the digital printing sector.
Inks and Chemicals
Nazdar Ink Technologies showcased a range of new and existing digital inkjet, screen, and flexo inks, as well as examples from its innovative special effects portfolio.
Mexar Inks presented their Mexar TEX1 flagship product, a high-performance aqueous pigment ink for textile printing applications. It combines the highest quality inkjet-grade pigments with Mexar’s proprietary textile binder system to create superior performance in terms of color gamut, printability and fastness properties. Available in a wide range of colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, black, blue, red, green, orange, violet and grey. This enables Mexar TEX1 to produce a large color gamut suitable for fashion, home décor and other textile printing markets.
Software for Digital Print
JK GROUP launched its new color calibration soft Color Pack at the event. Dover Industries’ new calibration and color management software, creates, pixel by pixel, the best recipe for each color in a design and transmits it to the existing RIP. Color Pack expands customers’ gamut, increases ink yield, simplifies color management, and reduces processing time thanks to a proprietary Color Algorithm, which boosts the ink’s performance. Color Pack makes the entire calibration easy and intuitive, balancing the main variables of the printing process: inks, substrate, and printheads
Onyx introduced Onyx 24, the company’s latest release in RIP software, which introduces major optimizations that address key industry challenges in print automation and efficiency. Developed with feedback from industry professionals, version 24 achieved major breakthroughs, including automated multi-layer preparation.
Concluding our review, FESPA 2024 continues to lead as a destination for innovation and print industry insight. Next year the show will take place in Berlin, May 6–9, 2025.
