Ipex 2014 visitors
will have the opportunity to view and learn more about printed products and
technologies that are set for rapid expansion over the next few years. Covering
photo products, digital print on packaging, 3D printing and printable
electronics, the Future Innovations zones on the show floor will showcase
examples of these products, as well as the technologies and relevant suppliers
that will help print service providers expand into these areas.
The whole production
chain – from websites to printing technologies, binding and dispatch – will be
represented in the Photo Products Zone. Printers will also be shown how they
can maximise profit margins by easily setting-up websites for consumers to
upload pictures for photo albums, calendars and other personalised products.
In the Digital Print
on Packaging Zone, visitors will learn about the range of opportunities that
lies in this emerging market, which is often compared to where photobooks were
a decade ago, while the 3D Printing Zone will address a technology that is both
fascinating in itself and staggering in its potential. As a completely new
field for print, it will focus on applications that printers can exploit for
themselves and their customers.
Visitors to the
Printable Electronics Zone will see examples of products that can be created
using different printing techniques, including litho, flexo, gravure or inkjet.
As many of the opportunities with printed electronics have now moved from lab
testing to proof-of-concept production, this zone offers the ideal opportunity
for printers to explore how they can get involved to deliver the high volumes
of printed electronics the industry will require.
Gareth Ward, Ipex
Future Innovations curator, comments: “These emerging technologies and
processes offer a wealth of new and exciting opportunities – print service
providers should definitely plan to spend time in the four zones during their
time at the show, while it will also provide excellent insight for the
marketing service community to understand the growing areas of applications
that add value to the marketing mix. Ipex 2014 is the ideal event to
investigate how the print industry will be influenced over the next few years,
and to meet with relevant suppliers to ensure they’re fully up-to-date when
looking at the future strategic direction of their businesses.”
