Roz McGuinness, divisional director at Fespa Digital, explains why Images readers should be visiting the Fespa Digital show in March, and reveals the must-see attractions at the event
How has the show changed over the past ten years?
We launched Fespa Digital in 2006 in response to the demand and growth in digital print technology. Over the last 10 years, the scope of digital applications has developed far beyond our expectations. Back in 2006, there wasn’t a dedicated textile area of the show. However, demand for digital textile has grown enormously and at Fespa Digital 2016 there will be 424% more textile exhibitors than at Fespa Digital 2012. Fespa Textile will be the biggest focused textile area at a Fespa Digital so far.
What are the key trends in digital at the moment?
As our Fespa Print Census showed, textile is one of the fastest growing areas of digital print globally, with 81% of respondents viewing it as key for their business. With this in mind, a logical step for us was to rebrand the former Fespa Fabric, which traditionally focused on garment decoration and apparel printing, to Fespa Textile, which will now cover many different areas from garments to interiors, banners and beyond.
What tips do you have for a first-time visitor to the show?
A trip to Fespa Digital is all about being prepared. Before you even step into the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre, make sure you plan enough time to explore Fespa Digital; with seven halls full of exhibitors, educational content and show features, there’s a lot to take in.
Fespa Textile will occupy Halls 4 and 5 and will also have its own Textile trail, highlighting exhibitors who will be showcasing textile products but aren’t located in the dedicated textile halls. Looking at the hall plans and trails in advance will help visitors make the most of their time at the show.
Visitors should also check out our programme of educational content to plan which seminars they would like to sit in on.
What do you think are the key seminars that Images readers should attend at the show?
There are a number of textile-focused seminars taking place within the Digital Hub, which will be located on the show floor. These include: 3D Printed Clothing where Gavin Drake, director of garment printing, will provide a snapshot into what the future of 3D printing is for the garment printing industry. Gavin will also host two other sessions on textile, including Screen Printing and Direct to Garment (DTG), and Direct to Garment Printing – Should We or Shouldn’t We?, where he will look at some of the DTG machines on the market. Justin Hayward, director at Cambridge Investment Research, will look at trends in dye sublimation along with digital textile printing trends, drivers and growth.
How will attending Fespa Digital 2016 benefit Images readers and their businesses?
Fespa Digital 2016 will be the most comprehensive speciality wide format print exhibition of the year and Fespa Textile is the largest textile printing exhibition in Europe. Both events will be the launch-pads for new technologies and solutions from international manufacturers and suppliers.
Fespa Textile will showcase the complete realm of digital printed textile technologies and applications. As well as the variety of exhibitors, visitors to Fespa Textile will also be able to attend dedicated textile and garment decoration sessions in the Digital Seminar area. Alongside these, the latest industry insights will be shared at the one-day Digital Textile Conference (DTC) on Tuesday March 8, where delegates will hear from industry experts about the most recent innovations, trends and applications.
Whether a visitor’s focus is garment decoration, banners or soft signage, Fespa Textile 2016 will provide them with everything they need to grow their business.
www.digital.fespa.com/en/
Images readers can gain free entry to the show using this special code: ADOZ0704
Inspirational prints, Textilewoman and vibrant fabrics – just some of what to expect at Fespa Digital/Textile 2016
