31 Jan 2024

IPIA prepares for gala showcase at The Print Show

The Print Show entrance LFR

Marian Stefani, chief executive officer of the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), has praised the organisers of The Print Show, saying that the event will help visitors access key information that could help them expand their business.

“A UK industry show is important to both for a number of reasons, not least because it gives a focus for meetings, networking and discussions with peers and suppliers,” Stefani said.

The IPIA will be in attendance for the second time this year, exhibiting alongside a host of its trade suppliers. Stefani said this approach will allow its partners to identify new business opportunities, as well as visitors to gain an insight into what the IPIA can offer, and how the organisation, and its member companies, can support future growth.

“A show gives OEMs a chance to showcase new technology in an environment where visitors can compare and review different manufacturers’ equipment, models and overall solutions", Stefani added. “Smaller, innovative businesses have the opportunity to introduce their new ideas to an audience that would otherwise probably never discover them and software and workflow providers are able to demo their solutions to a wide range of prospects.

“Probably even more important thought is that owners and managers of businesses take time out from their day to day workload and look around – hopefully becoming inspired and educated. A show is a great place to learn new things and to meet new suppliers and sometimes individuals that can potentially change working practices or an entire business strategy.”

The IPIA will also be responsible for one of the evening highlights of The Print Show this year when it stages its Gala Dinner and awards ceremony on the night of October 12th. The special event will pay tribute to IPIA members and highlight their success over the past twelve months. Tickets are still available, and with time running out the IPIA urges those interested in attending to get in touch.

Stefani adds: “What better place to celebrate our member’s achievements and to dine and dance the night away!”

One company that will benefit from the IPIA’s unique approach is The Finishing Touch, which is due to attend on October 12th. John Traverse, general manager at the company, says the show “offers a great platform” to showcase its services.

Traverse said: “From our business perspective, we are sure The Print Show will be a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our comprehensive print finishing services and raise awareness about our value proposition. The show will also allow us to catch up face-to-face with our friendly existing customers that we have daily contact with over the phone, what else could you ask for?”

Since joining The Company Cards Group not so long ago, The Finishing Touch has added lamination and UV varnishing services, and will use the show to promote these offering to a wider audience.

Traverse said: “Our laminating service is the ideal finishing process for a wide variety of items such as reports, folders, business cards, book covers, magazine covers, labels and door hangers. Laminating also helps to protect your printed documents from tearing and creasing. We offer a full range of finishes including matt, gloss, anti-scuff, silk and soft touch.

“Appearance is enhanced using any of these films or combine a matt finish with a gloss varnish for that something extra that stands out from the crowd. Our spot UV varnish is used to highlight photographs or any other graphic image. Applied directly to the selected area, the high gloss varnish creates an eye catching contrast to a matt background making the design jump off the page.”

Meanwhile, The Print Show is delighted to confirm that Roland DG is to sponsor the Software Training Theatre at this year’s event. The dedicated section of the show will offer visitors access to free education and training on various design software and RIP technology.

In addition to sponsoring the feature, Roland DG will have a personal presence at the Software Training Theatre, with Joe Wigzell, Academy and Creative Centre manager at the manufacturer, to give a series of presentations during the show.

Wigzell said: “Being an expert for many years in the area of RIP technology, Roland DG is well placed to sponsor the Software Training Theatre and bring its knowledge to The Print Show visitors. All presentations will be based on existing training courses run through the Roland DG Academy, which in addition to training on our core RIP technology also offers courses on CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and Adobe Illustrator.

"Wide-format print technology and accompanying software is designed to complement activity and increase work efficiency—a welcoming prospect in today’s busy commercial production environments; where maximising both time and cost efficiency is the key to successful profit driven ventures.

"Roland DG is not only dedicated to supporting our end-users with quality machinery, but also the accompanying elements that make a business successful; including their RIP software."

Wigzell will focus on the various RIP software programmes that are supplied with Roland DG kit, including VersaWorks Dual and VersaWorks.

VersaWorks Dual has been developed exclusively for use with latest generation of Roland DG technology, such as the SOLJET EJ-640 and the VersaUV LEF-300 UV, to help maximise performance. Features include the capability to process natively PostScript and PDF format files, as well as the ability to run on up to four separate Roland DG devices and compatibility with the Roland DG Colour System Library spot colour matching system.

Predecessor product VersaWorks is described by Roland DG as the “cornerstone” of many print businesses around the world, due to its features and ease-of-use. The solution has been developed exclusively for use with all Roland DG inkjet printers and integrated print and cut machines.