Printing exhibitions are like roadmaps. They show you many ways to get where you want to go. These shows also provide a gauge as to where the industry stands. Strong shows reflect a strong industry. The American Graph Expo show just ended in Chicago. It has been an annual event since 1972 and situated in the heart of the US printing market. Like many trade exhibitions, it has suffered a decline in exhibitors and attendees over the last decade.
Even with a number of co-located events, especially packaging related, it was the smallest of previous shows. I have been to every one. However, it was probably just the right size for attendees to cover.This edition was especially telling in that there was only one multicolour offset press running at the show (Ryobi). The large offset press makers were there, except for Heidelberg, but did not bring offset equipment. Some exhibitors, like
Komori, showed digital presses. The web division of manroland was there but not the sheetfed company. Back in 2010 most of the major floor space would have been taken by the offset press makers. Heidelberg once dominated the show. Now they are noticeably among the missing. Komori announced a merger of sales forces with Screen to sell sheetfed and rollfed inkjet printers. KBA has a press for packaging materials that employs digital technology.
The exhibit space that these press companies previously occupied was now held by Canon, HP, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Screen, Xerox and other digital printing suppliers. They have moved from the back of the hall to the front of the hall. In most cases, their toner-based systems were augmented by a range of inkjet-based printing systems. A major trend was digital enhancement. Scodix, Highcon, and MGI have devices that can add texture, metallics, diecutting, and other special effects to a sheet. There were a host of finishing systems, some on-line and some off-line. Mailing systems were also on display as exhibitors offered higher functionality to deal with increasing postal rates. It now costs more to mail a piece than print it. Only a decade ago, it was the other way around.
Wide format inkjet, roll and flatbed, was everywhere. This single technology has been responsible for keeping US printers in business. It has opened new markets and provided new business opportunities. The flatbed printers are especially popular because of their ability to print on many different substrates.
EFI Vutek had a crowded stand because of its diversified offerings, from wide format inkjet to workflow, MIS, and Web2Print software. Their recent acquisitions have moved them into printing ceramics and textiles. Workflow, MIS, and other software were everywhere. I counted 13 systems for colour management. Every supplier seems to have an answer, but none dominate.
Xrite Pantone increased the number of Pantone spot colours. All of the major ink and paper companies were there. Ink makers have advanced into inkjet inks, paper companies are struggling to deal with toner and inkjet devices with varying characteristics and many different sheet sizes. The show also had a focus on functional and industrial printing. This includes printed electronics, RFID, and 3D printing. Although in its infancy, there is hope that this area will provide new opportunities for printing firms as the technologies mature.
I call this evolving market New Print. There was media and then new media. There is print, and now New Print. Attendance was steady and strong and sales did take place. Some attendees said they were waiting for drupa in 2016. There is a need for annual national events. Smaller companies cannot afford to fly prospects to national demonstration centres. Overall, it was a meaningful event. There was enough new stuff to garner interest and enough old stuff to pay the bills.
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