Wide-format Blogs

Picon, the trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, papermaking and paper converting sectors, has just announced two new experts have joined its council - Mark Lawn, head of print-on-demand for Fujifilm Europe, and Steve Turner, managing director of Komori UK. The others serving on the council are: James Boughton, Edale (chairman); Ryan Miles, Heidelberg; Iain Bullock, Renz; Stuart Murphy, Rollem; Tim Klemz, Compact Engineering and BPMSA representative; Greg Bird, Kolbus; Kevin O’Donnell, Xerox; Mark Bristow, Friedheim; Neil Jones, Bobst; and Peter Murphy, Turnbull and Scott and BPMSA representative. As you can see, the wide-format digital inkjet print sector isn’t particularly well represented. Would it be of any benefit if it were? Just asking…

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about signs recently. That will come as no great shock, given that they are such an important part of Mole Graphics’ business. These reflections were prompted by a trip to the library to collect a potboiler crime novel. I realised that, depending on which sign you believed, it was either open straight through from 10am to 5pm or, as it turned out, closed for lunch between 1-2pm. I wasn’t the only one left dumbfounded: at the door, a three-year-old boy was trying to persuade his reluctant mum it was worth waiting for ten minutes until the library reopened and the nursery-style singalong - which, from personal experience, invariably features a round of ‘Wheels On The Bus’ - would begin.

So, SDUK has been bought from longstanding owner Faversham House. It’ll be interesting to see what new parent Datateam Business Media can do with the show, once the must-attend event for the UK’s wide-format print and signage sectors. How would you like it to take shape in its next incarnation?

I love, love, love the ‘50 Shades of Ginger’ colour index Roland DG is creating to coincide with the Redhead Days Festival 2023 in the Netherlands in August. As something of a greying redhead myself I’m wondering how they’re incorporating that colour! But what a fabulous bit of attention grabbing marketing.

The sun is out so it seems fitting to share with you the news that, according to the Image Reports Widthwise Survey 2023, UK-based large-format PSPs think the future is looking bright. The full analysis will appear in the Widthwise Report - which I’m working on right now and will be published (in print and online) with the August issue of Image Reports - but here’s to those of you finally beginning to enjoy brighter days.

It’s so inspiring to see so many new introductions at Fespa Global - this may now be a mature sector but there appears to be no slowing down in hardware, software and consumables innovation. Long may it continue…

Just to wish all of you heading to Munich for Fespa Global's opening tomorrow a happy, safe trip. I’d love to hear from you on your return as to what caught your eye. Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping everyone updated on product launches etc. on the Image Reports website. Enjoy!

Professor Len Shackleton, at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, has come out saying that new Office for National Statistics labour market data “could be the harbinger of a downturn”, noting payrolled employee numbers fell by 136,000 in April - the first fall in over two years - and that job vacancies had fallen for the tenth consecutive month. Do you feel this is representative of the large-format print sector?

Fespa Global is no doubt on many a mind as the event draws closer, but I thought it also worth reminding you of another event, closer to home, that should perhaps also be in your diary. Impact 23, the POPAI sustainability summit, will take place on 14 June in London. It may be worth popping over to the website to check out the line-up as it’s pre-order ticket entry only. Oh, and remember there’s a large-format automated production showcase tomorrow (16 May) at Canon’s Birmingham showroom.

With analysts expecting the Bank of England to raise interest rates to 4.50% today (11 May), The Institute of Economic Affairs’ Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC) has come out saying that the rise is unnecessary to control inflation. Do you expect the decision - whichever way it goes - to have much impact on your business?

Figures of up to £1bn are being bandied about in relation to the boost King Charles III’s upcoming coronation will give to the British economy. That deserves some flag waving – hope some of them [and other printed commemorative merchandise] have been printed by you. Let the celebrations begin…

Well today is the last day of the inaugural Fespa WrapFest at Silverstone racing circuit. Did you go - are you still there? Let me know what you thought of the event. I’m wondering if it’s triggered any new thinking among wide-format print PSPs…