Visual Impact Sydney Day 1 highlights

Day one of the Sydney show saw an early crowd keeping exhibitors busy with demonstrations and detailed conversations across media, consumables, printers, cutters, and several “Australian Firsts”.

Here is a roundup of the just some of the highlights from day one not to mention a jam-packed schedule of interesting seminars for business owners.

HP

The HP stand demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability with repurposed signage from PacPrint included in the construction. All printing is entirely water-based, with no solvent or eco-solvent inks used. See the new HP Latex 2700 Printer, 3.2m wide roll-to-roll, including white ink. The large printer takes centre stage at the HP stand.  Craig Hardman, ANZ Country Manager HP, comments,  “Although it’s a 3.2m printer, it is more compact than previous similar models – designed to fit into the smaller factory spaces of a modern sign and display businesses, and it can print across a wide range of media including banners, self-adhesive vinyls, films, papers, wall coverings, canvas,  synthetics, fabrics, mesh and textiles.” The printer can produce vivid colours at up to 89 sqm/h (3-passes).

Spicers

Spicers Workshop was a bustling lesson in sustainability. Making its Australian debut is the new Evolution in Grip, a series of sample packs aimed at helping producers choose the most suitable media for the job. Wayne Hood, Sign & Display Portfolio Manager, says, “ The launch of Evolution in Grip 2 is about windows, walls and floors with each pack containing the different media and a range of materials which may be needed to cover a variety of substrates. The majority of the products come from General Formulations. However, all products selected give our customers surety of high quality, durability and warranty.” You can pick up the packs and see the range on display at the Spicers stand.

Roland DG

Directly across from the show entrance is the brand new VersaObject CO UV-LED flatbed inkjet printer of the newly launched CO series. The VersaOBJECT line is Roland DG’s direct printing solution that enables easy and efficient high-precision printing on three-d dimensional objects without using conventional methods such as pad printing or screen printing. The CO series can print on objects up to 200 mm in height and 100 kg/sqm in weight. It allows printing to be performed on gently curved or uneven surfaces, making it ideal for personalisation on various consumer products. “Roland DG Australia is thrilled to debut the VersaObject printer at Visual Impact. It is the printer of choice for people who want versatility in their applications,” says Greg Stone, Product & Marketing Manager, Roland DG Australia.

Mimaki

On show at the Mimaki stand is the featured JV 330-160, showcased under a red LED that encapsulates the printer’s tag line “Give your creativity a glow up”. “The printer has a new advanced print engine and is capable of printing Point of Sale quality prints at high speeds.” Says Brad Creighton, National Marketing Manager, Mimaki Australia. The printer can hold up to three rolls, ensuring it lives up to its promise of higher levels of production that are achievable. The JVC 330-160, the model that includes the cutter, can be viewed on the Graphic Art Mart stand just across from Mimaki.

Starleaton

The highlight of the Starleaton stand is the new Canon Colorado M5W large-format (1.6m) roll-to-roll UVgel printer with white ink option, for it’s first showing to the market in Australia. “This printer is sure to generate a lot of interest with its exceptional quality and productivity across a spectacular range of applications,” says Ines Eaton, Marketing Manager for Starleaton. Canon’s new Colorado M-series design is based on a single platform that can be configured to customers’ needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades. The scalable series includes two base models (M3 and M5) offering a choice of output speeds (cruising speed of 29sqm/hr and 40sqm/hr and maximum print speed of 111sqm/hr and 159sqm/hr respectively), with the option to upgrade from one model to the other. Both printers can be easily upgraded to ‘W’ versions for white ink (M3W and M5W).

Ball & Doggett

Making its Australian debut is the MetaCast MCX range of premium cast automotive colour change films. The range includes contemporary and brand colours and comes with a microchannel air release system giving an optimal performance with enhanced repositionability and high adhesive strength. “Ball & Doggett are delighted to bring this innovative product to the Australian Market,” said Rob Brussolo, General Manager – Sign Display & Digital, Ball & Doggett, adding, “The extreme conformability of the MCX films give complete confidence when fitting into 3D channels and deep recesses.”

EPSON

In a break from this usual corporate branding, Epson showcases its theme “Relax, you’re in good hands” with a bright, colourful stand filled with multiple samples of the applications that are possible across the range of printers. Day one highlighted the Epson SureColor V7000 UV flatbed printer, powered by eight PrecisionCore printheads and a new UltraChrome UV ink, which delivers outstanding print quality and low cost of ownership on many types of media, including paper, film, board, corflute, vinyl, canvas, aluminium, timber and acrylic up to 80 mm thick. “We launched the v7000 at PacPrint, and it’s had a great reception,” comments Priscilla Dickason, National Marketing Communications Manager, Epson Australia, adding, “The colour gamut and quality of the images produced across the range of media cements Epson as your ‘One-stop-shop’.

Graphic Art Mart

New to the Gamart portfolio and on display is a BRM Laser engraver and cutter. Mark Canavan, Marketing and Vendor Relationships Manager, comments, “ Graphic Art Mart is proud to launch a new range of BRM laser engravers and cutting machines. They can engrave or cut a variety of substrates effortlessly, European designed and made, and they complement our portfolio perfectly. The range of sizes available ensures we have a suitable product for every sign shop.” The range includes the Slim 600 and 900 for smaller factory spaces, a range of Pro models for busy production and an Open Bed flatbed model.

Arlon

Also available on the Graphic Art Mart stand is the range of Arlon Premium Colour Change films. The range now includes 30 colours; visitors to the show will see a customer’s McLaren in various stages of wrapping as the team works to complete a colour change by the end of the show. Neil Gomez, Director of Sales ANZ for Arlon, commented on the day one crowd, saying, “ We are very impressed with the number of visitorsoshow's first day. It’s been great to see the youth coming through and engaging with us, many of whom are very interested in pursuing the industry as a vocation. It’s also good to see Sydney back to capacity at in-person events”.

Mutoh

Mutoh is showing the ‘desktop’ small format flatbed for day one, their award-winning XpertJet ‘Direct to Object’ Printer. Visitors can see the A2+ XPJ-661UF and A3+ XPJ-461UF models. Mutoh’s award-winning VerteLith workflow software drives all Mutoh printers on display.

Celmac

Showcasing a variety of media of machines on the stand, the day one highlight at Celmac was the Texwalk speciality media. The Jessups product is billed as the ‘print and go anti-slip solution for all your graphic needs’ suitable for indoor floor and short-term outdoor use.  

Multicam

The centrepiece of the Multicam stand is the Trident CNC cutter, the innovative hybrid CNC production system combines heavy-duty routing with fast knife cutting for processing the broadest range of materials in all print finishing, signmaking, foam and graphics applications.