Wide-format Blogs

How much ‘out-of-home’ ad work do you do - and is that volume/value increasing or decreasing? I ask on the back of a presentation by WOO president Tom Goddard at the organisation’s second Asia Forum in Bali last week, where he outlined a growth strategy. I’m wondering how you see print performing in the UK OOH sector….  

With November upon is I thought I’d issue a timely reminder of the IPIA’s Recognising Excellence 2023 event in the Midlands on 29th of the month. The association is doing a lot to advance issues that impact the print industry so it’ll no doubt to a good forum to exchange ideas and info.

OK, let’s talk wages. What do you pay your staff? It was a topic that came up in the Widthwise discussion last week, and with news of wide-format print sector supplier Innotech having just been accredited a Living Wage Employer, I’m wondering if there’s much of a regional variation in who gets paid what. I’ve talked to various trade bodies over the years to see if it’s possible to do a proper large-scale study, but it’s always been too complicated - and too costly. Any ideas?

I’m loving the video integration technology WTTB has bought into - what a fab way to make print more engaging. Of course, we’ve been talking about the possibilities and opportunities for integrated print offerings for many years, but we still rarely see really ‘wow’ large-format examples. Have you been involved in bringing any to life?

As you will see from today’s lead news item, Fespa UK is expanding its waste academy offering, which has me wondering what kind of targets you all have as individual PSPs - and whether there should/could be a waste recovery target for the large-format print sector as a whole?

Small businesses on TikTok contributed £1.63bn to UK GDP in 2022, with regions outside London benefitting most, according to a new report from Oxford Economics. Apparently - the report was commissioned by TikTok - 47% of users bought a product or service as a result of seeing it on TikTok. Just saying...any scope there for your business to benefit?

Do you have a DTF printer yet? Do you want one? I’m trying to gauge the level of interest in such kit among those operating in the professional large-format print sector so I’d welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

So, Imageco has bagged a £45,000 grant from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership that will help it invest in new kit and people. I’m wondering how many of you apply for similar financial aid. Is your company one of those benefitting?

With the Labour Party Conference underway I’m wondering what would be your one ask of this country’s major political parties? It’s a topic I’ll broach with the print chiefs taking part in tomorrow’s Widthwise roundtable discussion, but I’d love to have your thoughts too…

The EcoPrint Virtual Summit takes place next week - 11-12 October to be precise. There are 34 speakers to pick and choose from and it’s a free event so you might want to register. If circumstance drags you away from your monitor you can catch-up later. 

About ten years ago, when one of Mole Graphics’ largest customers went bust, owing us a shedload of money, I spoke to the bank about a loan. They were polite and enthusiastic until they ran the figures. We were not, they said with a tinge of regret, eligible for a loan unless I could persuade two of our other large customers to confirm, in writing, that they would continue to buy print from us for the next five years. I tried to explain that I could probably get these letters but, given that many print buyers changed jobs every couple of years, they would be essentially meaningless.

Now that we’re into October a reminder that Fespa UK’s next 'Next Generation on Tour' event will be going ahead on the 18th, at Zund UK’s premises in in St. Albans. Those in the industry aged 18-30's are invited - but will need to sign up as only eight can be accommodated on the day.

I will soon be hosting the annual roundtable discussions on the state of the UK large-format inkjet print sector - you’ll be able to view them online when I have. Is there a burning question you’d like me to put to either the panel of print chiefs, or to the sector’s suppliers? If so, drop me an email and I’ll see what I can do….

A call for sales and customer service entries has been made by the organisers of the 2024 international Stevie Awards - the early-bird deadline being 11 October, though the final closing date isn’t until 24 January (with a late fee charge!). Anyway, I thought I’d flag it up as we’ve some brilliant sales and service teams in this sector, and these are accolades that your customers may just well recognise! If you’d rather be on one of the judging panels, you can apply to do that too.