Brand-it, which is part of David Bartlett Designs, showed a “sound and light experience dome” as part of its display. The motion-activated system combines sounds synchronised with flashing lights and visitors were invited to try their hand at the "virtual harp".

“There are no speakers. We have put actuators onto the board and by connecting a small amplifier it turns a piece of cardboard into a speaker,” explained Brand-it business adviser John Charnock. “It’s a concept for point-of-sale and branding, to show printers what they can do.”

The company sponsored the cafe in the Printeriors area of the show, and it was fully kitted out with Brand-it cardboard tables and chairs.

Charnock said Fespa had been “brilliant – it exceeded our expectations”.

“The chairs have been taking a rigorous punishment over the course of the show and they’ve survived,” he added. “People feel cautious initially, but once they’ve sat on it they realise how stable they are and they’re much more relaxed!”

Brand-it now has three collections: for pop-up shops and POS; for exhibitions and events; and a children’s collection featuring Wendy houses and toy boxes.

“Printers with a large-format printer and cutter can buy these designs and go to their customers with something new and different,” Charnock said.

Bartlett is renowned for his paper and cardboard engineering creations, including haute couture hats and his iconic 1960s paper chair that is considered a design classic. He can be seen testing the sound and light dome below. 

David Bartlett testing his sound and light dome at Fespa 2015