Show organisers have now confirmed more than325 exhibitors, a significant increase on the 200-odd that took stands at the 2021 event in Amsterdam in October, reflecting the ongoing relaxation of Covid restrictions around the world. Despite the proximity of the October event, show organisers say the wide-format community is impatient to get together again – and Fespa is their favoured meet-up. “After more than two years dominated by virtual alternatives, business decision-makers really need the energy and connections that only live events enable,” says Michael Ryan, head of Fespa Global Print Expo.
“The true value of a Fespa event for exhibitors and visitors is the wider experience: close-up views of technology and consumables; making human connections; networking with like-minded business-people; being inspired and discovering the latest technologies and consumables.”
Fespa says the list of confirmed exhibitors includes many who were unable to be at the 2021 Amsterdam event, and almost all the big names including Agfa, Brother, Canon, Durst, EFI, Epson, Fujifilm, HP, Kornit Digital, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland DG and SwissQprint.
“It’s so motivating to have such a strong vote of confidence from the supplier community for Fespa and our power to reinvigorate the speciality print industry after the challenges of the last two years,” says Ryan.
“Suppliers who joined us in Amsterdam in October 2021 were reminded of the unique value of live events and the commercial advantage of connecting with customers and prospects face-to-face, so we’re delighted that many more exhibitors will reap these benefits in 2022.
“Now that businesses are back up and running and senior decision-makers are looking to secure their future investments, the importance of live shows to accelerate recovery has never been more significant.”
There are two new features included this year: the Sustainability Spotlight and the Associations Pavilion.
The Sustainability Spotlight will be the hub for information on reducing the environmental impact of a print business.
The organisers say the key to operating on a sustainable basis is to really understand your business and recognise the opportunities and risks that you face now and in the future. The Spotlight conference sessions – which are all free to attend – will provide a toolkit for optimising energy and resources, which will in turn also help reduce production costs. Topics include energy management, carbon-footprinting print operations, sustainability certification schemes, graphic products, textile products and aquatic and atmospheric pollution control.
Guest speakers will present short insights into the big issues, how to avoid greenwash and what are the key priorities to meet brands’ needs.
The Associations Pavilion, which will be located near the South Entrance, will provide an “inspirational printed showcase” representing each country within Fespa’s global network of printing associations, representing a global membership of over 16,000 printers.
Printeriors, now in its sixth year, focuses on print’s contribution to high-end interior design and decor. It will feature “innovative and beautiful” print applications and technology open to the printed interior design market. Fespa says each product will be bespoke, and created using multiple technologies in partnership with wide-format businesses.
This years’ edition will be inspired by flora and fauna with artwork designed by Jaspar Goodall and curated by Fespa textile ambassador Debbie McKeegan.
Back once again, the perennially popular World Wrap Masters will be contested by 36 vehicle wrappers from around the world. The feature also showcases the latest vinyl products, tools and techniques and provides free training workshops and live demonstrations delivered by world-renowned wrap instructors. The competition opens on 31 May in hall 6.2 with finals being held on 2 and 3 June.
Co-located with Fespa will be the European Sign Expo 2022, the leading European exhibition for signage and visual communications. The event will reunite key signage professionals with companies specialising in channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, illuminated displays, out of home media, LED, outdoor systems, laser cutters and sign tools.
While Covid restrictions have largely been lifted they have not disappeared. Show organisers continue to keep tabs on German government regs on large-scale events, but the good news is that, since 3 April, access restrictions, including masking requirements, have been lifted at trade shows nationwide. However, federal states can still require restrictions based on the local infection situation, so check the Fespa website for the most up-to-date information.
Fespa & Berlin Messe
Berlin Messe is this year celebrating its 200th anniversary, with the first trade fair event taking place in 1822.
Berlin has previously hosted Fespa exhibitions in 2007 and 2018, and the facilities and travel connections make the venue a popular destination among exhibitors and visitors.
Fespa Global Print Expo 2022 is being held in eight halls, all located close to the south entrance. Halls 1.2 through to 6.2, plus Hall 27, also known as ‘Hub Berlin’, and Hall 25.
For more information on entry requirements and Covid restrictions, visit Fespa's health and safety web page. For the latest updates on Covid guidance for exhibition attendees in Germany, visit www.auma.de/en/exhibit/legal-matters/entry-requirements.
Opening times
Tuesday, 31 May: 10:00-18:00
Wednesday, 1 June: 10:00-18:00
Thursday, 2 June: 10:00-18:00
Friday, 3 June: 10:00-15:00
2022 entrance fees
Visitor badge: €80
Promo code price: €50
WHAT'S NEW
Agfa Hall 3.2, stand C20
With a booth themed ‘Think Inkjet. Think Agfa’, Agfa will have its latest innovations on show. The Jeti Tauro H3300 HS LED, the latest member of Agfa’s 3.3m heavy-duty hybrid inkjet printer family, offers producers of corrugated cardboard displays the option to add a layer of glossy or matt varnish – in both flood or spot.
Also on show will be the 3.2m Avinci CX3200 dye-sub printer for high-quality indoor or outdoor soft signage, interior decoration and fashion items.
Avery Dennison/Mactac Hall 3.2, stand A50
The latest innovations from the Avery Dennison and Mactac brands will be on show in Hall 3.2.
From Avery Dennison is a digitally printable wrapping film that is PVC-free. The firm says that it delivers high performance while being more environmentally friendly. It is suitable for partial and full vehicle wraps, and also for interior and exterior signs. This material also provides “superb 3D conformability” for tricky wrapping projects and easy repositioning thanks to Easy Apply technology.
From Mactac will be JT 10700 WG-BFG-XR printable film for long-term 3D applications. The film is said to offer a well-balanced initial tack adhesive to improve the application experience and finish.
Brother Hall 27, stand C20
Brother will be showing the latest addition to its GTX industrial direct-to-garment printer range, the GTXPro.
The Pro model adds features and functionality designed to make mass-production more cost-effective. Brother says the GTXpro is flexible and immensely versatile. It features a newly designed white printhead that reduces the amount of white ink needed.
Two printheads offer eight channels deliver CMYK plus white and the machine has a maximum print area of 406x533mm.
DuPont Hall 27, stand 27-C60
DuPont will highlight the new pigment ink series, Artistri Brite P5500, which is designed for direct-to-garment (DTG) decorators and packaging producers and fulfilment houses that want to move to digital printing but need a faster more reliable process that provides high quality and repeatability.
The company says the new inks deliver improved wash fastness with both press or oven curing and with faster curing times. Artistri P5590 white ink offers the opacity and stretch that customers value for longer shelf life. The aqueous inkset is designed to work in printers with low-viscosity piezo-electric printheads and is suitable for all DTG applications, including direct-to-film printing.
EFI Hall 4.2, stand D20
EFI will be showcasing its new industrial, entry-level textiles printer, the Reggiani Terra Silver uses unique Terra pigment ink for high-quality, highly sustainable direct-to-textiles printing without steaming or washing.
The 1.8m-wide machine, unveiled last autumn, is part of EFI’s complete Terra line-up of pigment ink printers. The machine can print up to 190sqm/hr with eight dual-channel printheads. New, real-time image processing eliminates time spent in image pre-calculations. EFI says the printer delivers smooth and precise output on both knit and woven fabrics.
Fujifilm Hall 2.2, stand C30
Fujifilm will be exhibiting under the banner ‘Blueprint Live’ and says it will be unveiling new Acuity printers that have been designed under the manufacturer’s ‘Blueprint’ strategy, intended to “redefine price/performance and transform print ROI”.
On stand will be the first two machines in the new range, the Acuity Prime and Acuity Ultra R2, launched last year, but the manufacturer says it will also be showcasing as-yet unannounced models with a “total of six ground-breaking printers on show”.
Inkcups Europe Hall 3.2, stand C59
Inkcups will be demonstrating its new an artwork preparation software solution, ArtPrep, for Inkcups digital printers, on a Helix digital cylinder printer. ArtPrep improves overall productivity of Inkcups’ established digital printing workflows by reducing image preparation time. It has the capability to handle variable data, name drops, challenging gradients, and highlights, while providing maximum control over ink usage and production costs.
Mimaki Hall 1.2, stand A30
Mimaki will be showing off a just-launched range of wide-format inkjet printers. The 330 Series includes the JV330-160, CJV330-160, and TS330-1600 models. Mimaki says the range has been developed to offer mid- to high-end printing, focusing on high image quality and productivity, and durable prints for both the sign graphic and textiles industries.
The JV330-160 eco-solvent printer and CJV330-160 eco-solvent integrated printer/cutter are said to deliver the high standard of colour required for indoor and outdoor sign graphics through the new Deep Color Natural input profile. Mimaki says this offers vivid solid colours and natural skin tones as well as deep reds and neutral greys.
Mutoh Hall 1.2, stand C40
Based on Mutoh’s new XpertJet printer platform, the XpertJet 1642WR features two new ultra-wide Mutoh AccuFine piezo variable drop printheads, installed in a staggered configuration. In combination with Mutoh’s new proprietary i-screen weaving technology, the new print heads will deliver high print quality at higher production speeds. Targeted at the sublimation transfer market, the XpertJet WR dye-sublimation printers prints high-quality graphics for transfer on to flexible and rigid polyester materials, including soft signage; flags and pennants; sports goods, such as snowboards, helmets; mugs, umbrellas, mouse mats, etc; and apparel. The XPJ-1642WR will also print directly onto closed coated polyester fabrics or mixed fibres.
Sappi Hall 4.2, stand D20
Sappi is expanding its product range for corrugated board applications with Fusion Nature Plus, an uncoated, fully bleached and completely recyclable virgin fibre liner. It has a natural, uncoated surface with a more tactile feel, in response to market trends. The liner is also provided in very low grammages. It is said to offer excellent printing results in flexographic, digital and offset printing processes.
