The biggest FESPA show ever, FESPA 2015 opened today and will run till May 22, 2015 in Cologne, where visitors will be able to see technologies from over 700 exhibitors.
FESPA 2015 incorporates four events under one roof, addressing screen, textile and digital wide format printing and FESPA Fabric for garment printing and decoration.
Other two events include European Sign Expo for non-printed signage and visual communication solutions and Printeriors, a new interior décor showcase and conference.
“Together, these events mean there is more innovation and content for visitors to engage with than ever before,” a press release from the organisers of the trade show informed.
The FESPA universe of print includes seven planets for visitors to explore, which includes Planet Screen in Hall 8.
When the first FESPA exhibition opened 50 plus years ago, it was purely a screen printing show, and screen remains a significant part of FESPA 2015, with a growing focus on industrial screen print applications.
Another is Planet Digital in Halls 6, 7 and 9. FESPA said it has championed digital printing since its emergence in the market, and the demand from the market is still growing.
Whether visitors are looking to implement digital with analogue or wanting to take their first steps, they will be able to meet with leading manufacturers showcasing the latest technologies and applications.
At Planet Fabric in Hall 8, textile printing and garment decoration enthusiasts will find everything to do with garment decoration.
Signified by the pink planet, this year’s FESPA Fabric is 45 per cent larger than FESPA Fabric 2013 in London, showcasing the largest constellation of garment decoration opportunities of any FESPA event to date.
“Hands-on garment decoration workshops are also taking place throughout the days of the trade show,” the press release said.
Planet Sign in Hall 7 will host FESPA’s satellite event, European Sign Expo which returns to FESPA 2015 and is 50 per cent bigger this year than when it was launched in 2013.
It provides signmakers and signage buyers a focused environment to explore new horizons in non-printed signage.
European Sign Expo also has its own content area, the Sign Hub, which features dedicated seminars on both digital and traditional signage as well as the connect bar for networking.
A new event, Planet Printeriors also in Hall 9 is a showcase event celebrating print for interior design.
This application focused event targets both print service providers and interior designers to illustrate the creative possibilities when using print for interiors.
Printeriors is presented through a series of room sets designed by industry suppliers and or their customers, in which visitors will see a diverse range of interiors, from an aircraft cockpit to a gin bar.
Printeriors includes a one-day conference on May 21 which will cover applications, techniques, case studies, equipment, materials and trends providing detailed insight into the printed interiors market.