We travelled to Cologne, Germany to unearth some new product gems at FESPA 2015
FESPA 2015 was big. Big halls, big exhibits and a big audience: the organisers are reporting the event’s biggest ever number of visits, 43,775 – an increase of 17% compared with the previous flagship FESPA show, in London in 2013. Giant flatbed poster printing lines vied for attention with large format digital printers and calendar presses, while an entire car was being vinyl-wrapped down to its wheels and windscreen. FESPA Fabric saw an equally impressive array of printing equipment from the industry’s big names with oval presses and the latest D2G machines proving especially popular. But it wasn’t only the large, headline exhibits that made the trip to Cologne worthwhile. From inks and inline foiling units, to cap platens, transfer papers and digital print kiosks there was an eclectic range of new products from across the garment decoration processes. Here, we present a small selection of the products that caught our attention.
MHM’s new inline foiling unit was demonstrated on the iQ-Oval alongside the company’s inline flocking unit
Target Transfers’ Martin Borley demonstrates the new Stahls’ quick-change Hat Bill multicap printing platen, which was shown alongside the new silicone high build cad-cut material, which is ideal for use on sportswear, headwear and bags.
Ian Maxted of Sureprint with the company’s brand new MP2 single-colour multiprinter – an evolution of the popular MP1, which features a self-positioning platen for extra speed, advanced foot switch control system and optional vacuum system.
www.sureprint.net
Kornit unveiled its new NeoPigment Pure digital textile ink, which delivers a 15% wider colour gamut, a deeper black, and a brighter and more opaque white with greater coverage. This print was one of several stunning designs that were printed on the stand using the new Pure ink and an Avalanche Hexa printer .
Heiner Rupperath, Brother’s product and marketing manager, with Chiossi E Cavazzuti’s new DiDO Shop drawer dryer for curing digital inks. Brother was also demonstrating the new web-to-print kiosk system from Brain Industries.
MagnaColours showcased a raft of new products, including MagnaPrint Aquaflex ultra high opacity water-based ink, and MagnaPrint Brittle Bases (soft hand cracking bases that also make a noise), with live printing demonstrations on Fruit of the Loom Sofspun tees. A portfolio of sample prints included the Jim Morrison print by A Design, which won the Gold award in the FESPA 2015 Awards Special Effect category .
Kai Gminder, managing director of Gustav Daiber, with a T-shirt printed using the new D3001-Transfer system, which is certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1 making it suitable for use on children’s and babywear. The transfer prints reproduce noticeably punchy, opaque colours and have a silky finish and exceptionally soft hand-feel.
