The industry is set for IPEX 2017, Informa Exhibitions, the organisers of IPEX 2017 have confirmed that all is in place and that exhibitors and speakers are ready to receive visitors at the NEC next week.  This year IPEX returns to Birmingham and the theme of the show is ‘Print In Action’ providing visitors with the unmissable opportunity to see the latest print technologies and applications.   

IPEX 2017 Event Director, Rob Fisher, commented, “We started our ‘Print In Action’ vision back in 2014, based on research and feedback collected from visitors and exhibitors at our last event. I’m proud to be part of the dedicated team that has made this vision a reality and that this year’s show will address the topics that concern the print community today and tomorrow.”

IPEX 2017 hosts ‘a first’ for the print industry, with its unique collaboration with students from the University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion, who will showcase designs incorporating creative, digitally printed, textiles and print capable-substrates through ‘Print In Performance’.

IPEX will be hosting a diverse range of exhibitors attending the show, from the UK and worldwide, with many using IPEX to debut their new technologies and advancements.

Here is a selection hot off the press!

Apex Digital Graphics; Managing Director, Bob Usher says, “Apex is looking forward to IPEX with great optimism and will be showcasing its very successful SRA1 range of RMGT (Ryobi) presses with LED-UV drying. We are also launching a completely new range of CtP devices from Cron with internal punching and will be imaging the new durable Fuji Superia ZD develop-on-press thermal plate, with extended run life for LED-UV applications’’ 

Friedheim International; Managing Director, Mark Bristow says, “With IPEX around the next corner we’ve had major breakthroughs with our marketing, with our social media campaign generating over 10,000 impressions over the last two weeks alone.  We’ve also had plenty of interest from our customers on the equipment we will be showcasing. We’re really looking forward to this year’s homecoming IPEX, with registrations from our company URL in the triple figures – indicators are looking good!”

Watkiss Automation Ltd; Jo Watkiss, Communications Director says, “We’re looking forward to IPEX 2017. Feedback from our customers has been extremely positive and we fully expect it to be a busy and successful exhibition.  We will be showing how our diverse portfolio of booklet making, perfect binding, laminating and paper cutting equipment can help printers improve quality and efficiency.  On show will be some interesting applications in growth areas such A4 landscape full bleed colour booklets and innovative ways to enhance and embellish your print with foiling effects on laminate.”

First time exhibitor, KDX Europe Bv; Michel Diruy, General Manager says: “KDX is very excited about attending IPEX. We will be exhibiting our new thin gauge BOPP films for high volume production printers plus our exciting ranges of specialist film finishes such as Silky Matte, Anti-scuff Matte, Allstick Digital, Superbond, Metallic, Brushed, Glitter, Frosted and Textile thermal films. All these products are designed to help printers and print finishers to expand their product options with clients and ultimately maximise profits by offering something a little different. For the first time at IPEX we will have our 3D TV Display Screen available on the stand to demonstrate ‘glasses free’ 3D viewing and we will show how this product can be used in advertising display stands and point of sale.”

Key figures from within the print industry also provide comment:

Pat McGrew, Keypoint Intelligence and evangelist for print technology explains why she believes trade shows such as IPEX are vitally important to our industry: “Trade shows are the one place where you can invest time and walk away with deeper understand of the things that vendors have on offer and identify new opportunities to streamline production. The opportunities to educate oneself are unmatched. For me, every trade show is an advanced degree course in printing. Whenever I have attended IPEX I have walked away with more insight into vendor offerings, more understanding of the challenges printers are facing and clear guidance for new strategies.” 

David Hyams, MD Bespoke digital printer Talking Print shares his views on the benefits of visiting a trade show: "For me, the impressive thing about print is its physicality. You touch, feel and see it. The products we make are very physical, they need to be seen and touched to get the full effect. This is why a trade show like IPEX is so important to us: People can get close to what we do.”

Adding to the exhibitor line-up, there are three theatres within the event which are set to host exciting conference programmes with nearly 50 hours of content: www.ipex.org/programme. The centre stage will be a big focus of the event, with the ‘Print In Action’ Conference welcoming prestigious guest speakers and leading lights from the print industry and beyond, including three keynote addresses from François Martin, Deborah Corn and Kevin Goeminne, presenting and analysing the most important issues in the industry today and how to manage them. 

The Future Skills Theatre will run conference sessions each afternoon and also the Smart Directions Conference with speaker case studies and debates hosted by Digital Printer each morning. Topics for discussion cover Trade Print, The Future of Print, GDPR and Brands.  Visitors will be able to join in with the discussions to share opinions and experiences, providing a fantastic opportunity to exchange print industry knowledge.  

Dscoop - a cooperative of HP Graphic Arts users will be rolling out their seminar programme for Dscoop members and non-members at the Dscoop Theatre, with additional networking at the Dscoop lounge on stands B100 and C100. 

IPEX is the longest running print event in the UK, dating back to the 1880’s and is an open, independent and professional print show which passionately supports a diverse printing industry. The event takes place from 31^st October to 3^rd November 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham. Online visitor registration is open and IPEX is free to attend.