Agfa to show a variety of print applications at Fespa 2022

Corrugated cardboard, soft signage and flexible media will be at display at Fespa 2022

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Agfa
With a stand themed ‘Think Inkjet. Think Agfa’, inkjet printing solutions provider Agfa will show FESPA visitors in Berlin from 31 May-3 June its latest innovations and all the reasons to opt for them. Photo Agfa

“We keep improving and expanding our print solutions as we are passionate about enabling sign and display companies throughout the world to produce unique and striking prints – at the right throughput and the right price,” says Vincent Wille, president of Digital Print and Chemicals. “Fespa visitors looking to advance their businesses should definitely stop by the Agfa stand. We invite them to experience our large-format inkjet printing demos and to get inspired by our extensive variety of print samples. Most of all, our inkjet experts look forward to exploring together how our integrated offering of printers, inks, software, training and services can meet printing companies’ needs and further their growth.

A variety of print applications will take center stage and provide plenty of food for thought at Agfa’s stand –

Corrugated cardboard displays featuring varnish

The Jeti Tauro H3300 HS LED is the latest member of Agfa’s 3.3 m heavy-duty hybrid inkjet printer family. It offers producers of corrugated cardboard displays the option to add a layer of glossy or matt varnish – either applied to the entire surface (flood varnish) or to selected spots (spot varnish). The varnish embellishes prints with a fine luxury look, while also protecting them to some extent. Just like its siblings, this hybrid high-end Jeti Tauro is geared to fast and reliable 24/7 print production of outstanding quality, featuring multiple automation options.

Vibrant soft signage prints

The 3.2 m Avinci CX3200 dye-sublimation printer produces consistently vibrant high-quality prints on a wide range of polyester-based fabrics for indoor or outdoor soft signage, interior decoration, and fashion items. Being able to print directly to fabric is easy and fast, and ideal for applications such as flags, which require see-through. Yet the Avinci can also print on transfer paper, which is perfect for obtaining super-sharp backlit applications with deep blacks, as well as for handling really stretchy fabrics. It also limits set-off and media waste.

Flexible media – even the thinnest, most heat-sensitive ones

The Oberon RTR3300is a sturdy 3.3 m roll-to-roll machine that combines excellent print quality and high throughput with unique ease of use. Featuring UV LED curing and a water-cooled print plate, it tackles even the most heat-sensitive flexible materials. Its dual-roll option enables efficient printing on two smaller media rolls.

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Also on demo will be Agfa’s workflow software Asanti, which seamlessly interlinks the entire print production flow and minimizes manual interventions and errors. Its browser-based production dashboard interfaces with MIS/ERP systems to fine-tune quotes and post-calculations as it monitors production time, and ink and media consumption. The latest version (v5) includes efficiency-increasing features such as the automated ganging of jobs, as well as dedicated features for packaging production.

Industrial inkjet solutions

Agfa’s industrial inkjet specialists will also be at Fespa to discuss how the integration of inkjet printing in industrial production environments will lead to more versatility and improved cost-efficiency.

  • Agfa offers complete industrial inkjet printing systems, such as InterioJet, a multi-pass, water-based inkjet system for printing on décor paper for laminate production, and Alussa, a state-of-the-art inkjet printing technology that enables the creation of stunning and lasting designs on genuine leather. Both were recently rewarded by the European Digital Press association.
  • In direct relationship with OEM partners, print head manufacturers, system integrators and end-users, Agfa also develops high-performance UV and water-based industrial inkjet inks for a wide array of applications across a number of market sectors. These inks are used in state-of-the-art, and often custom-made printing equipment that is integrated into existing manufacturing processes.

2023 promises an interesting ride for print in India

Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup. While the print and packaging industries have been resilient in the past 33 months since the pandemic lockdown of 25 March 2020, the commercial printing and newspaper industries have yet to recover their pre-Covid trajectory.

The fragmented commercial printing industry faces substantial challenges as does the newspaper industry. While digital short-run printing and the signage industry seem to be recovering a bit faster, ultimately their growth will also be moderated by the progress of the overall economy. On the other hand book printing exports are doing well but they too face several supply-chain and logistics challenges.

The price of publication papers including newsprint has been high in the past year while availability is diminished by several mills shutting down their publication paper and newsprint machines in the past four years. Indian paper mills are also exporting many types of paper and have raised prices for Indian printers. To some extent, this has helped in the recovery of the digital printing industry with its on-demand short-run and low-wastage paradigm.

Ultimately digital print and other digital channels will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future. For instance, there is no alternative to a rise in textbook consumption but this segment will only reach normality in the next financial year beginning on 1 April 2023.

Thus while the new normal is a moving target and many commercial printers look to diversification, we believe that our target audiences may shift and change. Like them, we will also have to adapt with agility to keep up with their business and technical information needs.

Our 2023 media kit is ready, and it is the right time to take stock and reconnect with your potential markets and customers. Print is the glue for the growth of liberal education, new industry, and an emerging economy. We seek your participation in what promises to be an interesting ride.

– Naresh Khanna

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