The organiser says print today is much more than reproducing an image onto a substrate – it is one of the fundamental parts of a vital and effective media mix, providing an ideal launching pad into online, digital and other channels.
Ian Martin, chairman of PacPrint 13 says, “With print and graphic communications changing by the day, the industry’s edges are blurring, and businesses which would previously have identified as print service providers are now seeing themselves much more as full service providers, offering not only a diverse range of printed communications but also other media options.
“To reflect these changes, PacPrint13 has also expanded its focus and those interested in the cross-media space will find plenty on offer at the show with plenty of cross-media, e-commerce, IR and AR opportunities on show, as well as moving into an entirely new dimension with 3D print on show for the first time.”
Martin believes that integrated, multi-channel communications not only offer new options for advertisers and communicators, they also offer higher levels of effectiveness and engagement. And far from leaving print in the shadows, the move to a multi-media mix has seen print take on an important new role – as the foundational element in many of these campaigns.
Among the companies with this focus is Tasman Machinery which will be demonstrating that imagination has no boundaries, with a range of 3D print solutions for every requirement and budget. On its PacPrint13 stand, the company will focus on showing print professionals how 3D technology can open up opportunities to create vital new revenue streams by allowing them to create single or multi-colour 3D printed products in a wide range of sizes, resolutions and materials. With everything from desktop to larger-scale systems, the company’s 3D printers are ideal for everything from product or packaging mock-ups, 3D architectural or ergonomic models, concept models and product prototypes to printing sculptural artworks, bespoke décor products or novelty items.
Ricoh will be in the Image Recognition space with the Australian preview of its Clickable Paper, following showings at drupa and GraphExpo. Comprising a downloadable app for smart phones or tablets, Clickable Paper connects readers from the printed page to up to six different rich media links using image recognition technology via the device camera. Importantly, the app will be backed by a service to help users build and modify content for the back end, ensuring they can deliver a seamless experience to their customers. Currently undergoing pilot testing in Japan and the US, Ricoh’s Clickable Paper is expected to be released to the market in the near future.
AR juggernaut Blippar – which is now widely used across the catalogue market in Australia and recently launched in News Limited’s Sunday Style magazine in Sydney and Melbourne markets – will also be at the exhibition demonstrating how it can bring to life real-world newspapers, magazines, and posters with augmented reality experiences and instantaneous content. Fuji Xerox Australia is hosting a demonstration using Blippar technology, supplied by Franklin Web.
The involvement of these two market leaders is, however, only the tip of the cross-media iceberg at PacPrint13. Siam Studios, a multimedia design studio, will be showing PacPrint visitors how they can create content for every medium – television, cinema, digital, print and outdoor, and the ever expanding realm of new media – to complement print campaigns. With a growing recognition of the value of spreading your marketing message over multiple media touch points, Siam Studios says it can provide a valuable service to print service providers by creating digital content which supports printed collateral – helping service the end client’s need for complete, integrated and effective communications packages for any audience.
A host of other exhibitors are also promising to showcase solutions in the cross-media services, web-to-print and e-commerce categories. First timers, relative newcomers, and well-known names are also adding their expertise and solutions to the mix including EFI, PentNet, ReDigital, Kayell, Workflowz, High Caliber Line of Australia and Objectif Lune.
EFI will be on the front foot with a powerful, integrated product portfolio at the exhibition including integrated workflow suites, digital storefronts, web-to-print and cross-media software, as well as its range of Fiery servers. ReDigital will showcase its GMC Inspire customer communications platform in a bid to help businesses profit from multichannel communications, saying that transforming and adding value to marketing, transactional and operational communications drives bottom-line and top-line growth.
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