drupa has never been a big show for display graphics and signage, and while there were companies showing their wide-format printers, major announcements are usually reserved for the ISA Sign Expo, FESPA and/or PRINTING United. But there were still some interesting, unique and even potentially game-changing items on display. Let’s take a look back at some display graphics technology announcements—and look ahead to PRINTING United.

There was one unique display graphics system at drupa that I’ll be following up on, and that was a “direct-to-wall system” by a German company called wallPen. The company had its beginnings 25 years ago, according to the company’s website, when Andreas Schmidt was working in the field of training, presentation and sales of 3D CAM/CAM software. Intrigued by the idea of printing on walls after seeing some Chinese wall printing equipment on Alibaba, he ordered some, intending to sell them in Europe via his own company. However, as the website says, “The Chinese printer finally arrives, but bursts into flames on the very first attempt to print.” Well. He tries with some more expensive printers, but is dissatisfied with the quality, so decides to build a unit himself. In 2016, the wallPen Evolution 1 (E1) is finally ready and has a successful start. And wallPen is off to the races.

The full story will merit a longer standalone story but suffice to say here the wallPen E2 is the current model, which was what was being shown at drupa. The system comprises a set of rails that are laid on the floor and a movable axis system that controls height, printheads, and electronics, designed for easy assembly and disassembly. The device uses four-color (CMYK) LED UV inks, with an option for a fifth color such as white. It uses Ricoh Gen 5 printheads that print at a maximum resolution of 1,200 dpi at speeds that vary from 2 to 16 sq. m/hr.