With Sign & Digital UK 2019 (SDUK) opening its doors next week, more than 50 major product launches and technology updates are set to be showcased at this year’s event.

Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 2 to 4 April 2019, the industry leading trade show will bring an extended range of innovative technologies and equipment to its visitors in the visual communications sector.

Portfolio director Rudi Blackett, said, “The signage and digital print industry is always moving forward at a fast pace with new technology and creative innovation driving it forward. Businesses need to find new ways to stand out from the competition, which is why a visit to Sign & Digital UK 2019 is business-critical for anyone in the industry.”

The show will play host to over 50 product launches and updates with a particular focus on flatbed printers; an area of the industry that is currently seeing fast progression. Here is a preview of the many product launches and prize giveaways you can expect to see at this year’s event.

Product launches, showcases and live demonstrations

Antalis (H30)
The Antalis stand itself will feature various elements made from the company’s new product, Xanita Board, exclusively supplied by Antalis in the UK. Manufactured using fibres recovered from recycled cardboard boxes, Xanita Board’s robust specification makes it strong and versatile, yet boasts being a quarter of the weight of an equivalent thickness MDF.

Automatic Letter Bender (ALB) (P10)
ALB will be introducing its new model HD 2 HYBRID 160 bending machine with the double-sided cutting system for aluminum and stainless-steel tapes. This model also works with the galvanised, iron tapes and profiles and has two types of bending and cutting systems.

During the exhibition, ALB will also have live demonstrations of how quickly the machine can bend 3D letters.

Blackman & White (B20)
Blackman & White will be demonstrating the Genesis-V Multi-Tool cutter. Featuring new generation tooling including the heavy-duty 5Kw water-cooled router spindle, they will be presenting the 1.6m x 1.6m footprint machine. From packaging prototype cutting through to textile laser cutting including high-volume heavy-duty signage applications, the Genesis-V range offers optimal accuracy, throughflow and profitability with low cost of ownership.

Canon (E10)
Having its first public UK showing at SDUK is Canon’s new Océ Arizona 1,300 flatbed printer series for mid-volume sign and display producers. The product aims to help customers increase production efficiencies and address market demand for varied applications.

CMYUK (G10)
CMYUK will have its biggest stand at SDUK to date, filled with the latest equipment from top brands Esko, EFI, Mimaki and HP.

The CMYUK will stand also host the Décor and Design zone, which will demonstrate textile and décor materials from print to finished application, including digitally printed fabrics and wallpapers from designer Hazel Caruthers of Avalana Design.

Hybrid Services (F10)
Mimaki’s metallic LED UK ink will be on show for the first on a Mimaki UJF-7151plus, enabling the production of high-end graphics for packaging, small to mid-format signage and bespoke décor and giftware. A further innovative ink will also be unveiled at the exhibition in the form of a clear option for the hugely popular UCJV300 Series LED UV printer/cutters.

Hybrid Services will also launch of the new Mimaki 3DFF-222 3D printer, a product co-branded with Sindoh, a manufacturer of 3D printers and multi-function printers based in South Korea. The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) solution, which will make its debut at the show has been developed as an in-house design and production tool, ideal for parts such as jigs used in direct-to-object printing and tools for producing three-dimensional signage.

InkTec (G20)
InkTec will be launching its new JETRIX UV-led printers at the show. The LXi6/LXi7 LED-UV flatbed printers will take media up to 2.5 x 1.28m and 2.5 x 3.06m respectively, deliver top speeds of up to 78sqm/hr and offer a roll-to-roll option. Building on the success of the LXiR320, the more unusual 1.9m width of the LXiR190 can take two 914mm rolls at once, prints at resolutions of 1,440 x 720 dpi at speeds of up to 45sqm/hr.

Liquid Lens (P18)
Liquid Lens has developed new soft and hard polyurethane resins, and will be demonstrating these three new applications featuring the new materials at the show: digital mosaic, 3D signage & vehicle graphics, and 3D vehicle number plates & frames.

Ricoh (J30)
Ricoh will be exhibiting its latest large format inkjet solutions including a new latex printer, a new smaller UV flatbed and a new mid-range direct to garment printer. The new portfolio of inkjet solutions will give sign and display customers the opportunity to take advantage of the unique characteristics of UV-curable and latex printing technologies.

Roland (F30)
Roland will be showcasing its first direct-to-garment printer, the BT-12. The product has a small footprint, letting it function in a retail environment or on a busy stand, and can complete printing jobs in around 10 minutes.

Roland will also be releasing the latest innovation in its renowned DG TrueVIS series – the VG2. Building on the technical excellence of the VG range, the VG2 comes with a host of upgrades making it even more versatile and efficient.

Sabur (K10)
Sabur will be launching Sabur Digital, showcasing two new DGI machines. Taking front and centre stage will be the DGI HSFTIII, which will be having its first outing at Sign & Digital UK 2019.

Thinklaser (A12)
Thinklaser will be launching a new Lightblade 3060 desktop laser cutting and engraving machine with 40W CO2 laser source, 300 x 600mm bed size, built in air assist and water cooling. They will also be launching the LightScribe fibre laser marking and engraving machine at the show, with optional fibre laser sources, ideal for marking and engraving metals and engineering plastics.

Ultima Displays (J10)
Ultima Displays will be introducing Modulate™ at the show, an innovative new display solution that can be redressed and reconfigured in minutes to provide a fresh new display over and over again.

Its innovative patent pending 360° Maglink connection system concealed within the aluminium tubular frame enabling multiple frames to be connected at any angle without the need for tools or connectors.

William Smith (C16)
William Smith will be showcasing the latest addition to the company’s materials portfolio, the Squid Window Textile Film – a transparent woven polyester fabric that can be applied to any size and shape of flat window or glass partition.

Your Print Specialists (YPS) (E2)
YPS will be hosting Anthony Devine, the star of BBC’s Money for Nothing program and founder of Ministry of Upholstery, Anthony will deliver live workshops and demonstrations of upholstery production using digital textile print technology.

As well as the many product launches, under the 2019 theme, The Face of Innovation, SDUK will present visitors with new interactive features, an enhanced free-to-attend seminar programme and practical more live demonstrations showcasing the latest technologies and techniques.
Entry to the show for visitors is free – just register now at www.signuk.com.