Finishing & Screen Printing

Successful Muller Martini Performance at digi:media in Düsseldorf

Wednesday 13. April 2011 - A Chance for In-Depth Discussions with Customers on New Growth Opportunities for the Graphic Arts Industry

A host of high-profile visitors to the stand and some exciting, in-depth discussions about the effects of digital printing on in-line finishing processes – Muller Martini enjoyed a thoroughly positive response to its exhibition, inspired by the slogan “Grow with Digital Solutions”, at the first digi:media trade fair in Düsseldorf (Germany).
“There’s no doubt that digi:media was an experiment for many,” explained Dragan Volic. “And we also viewed our participation at this new trade fair, roughly a year before drupa, in much the same way.” According to Volic, Head of Marketing for stitching systems and digital solutions at Muller Martini, who presented solutions linked to new graphic arts growth opportunities on the digi:media technology stage, appearing at the trade fair has more than paid off: “Obviously there were not as many visitors as at the larger trade fairs for the graphic arts industry. But that meant customers and us, the exhibitors, had more time for serious discussions and to really go into detail on topics such as digital printing, in-line finishing and photo books. It was also great to see that some important decision-makers from graphic arts operations made the trip to Düsseldorf. Interesting conversations at our stand lasted much longer than they normally do at other trade fairs – I’m sure that our new lounge concept played some part in that, too.”
Bill Graushar, Vice President of Post Press Technology at Quad Graphics in Sussex, WI (USA), also highlighted the importance of the lounge area. As he did around two months ago to attend the Hunkeler innovationdays event in Lucerne (Switzerland), Graushar made the trip over to Europe from the USA especially for the trade fair, and was pleased with the stress-free atmosphere at the event in Düsseldorf: “We had time to look at the various stands and the exhibitors had time to present their solutions to us.”
The fact that some big industry names were represented reflects the significance of the new trade fair, says Ed Koks, Production Manager at Albumprinter in Den Haag (Holland): “I think the digi:media trade fair has got off to a good start. I saw various new solutions, although there was nothing really revolutionary on show.” As a photo book specialist, the representative from Albumprinter, which already uses a Diamant MC Digital bookline from Muller Martini, has a keen eye for the latest developments in the industry. Ed Koks: “Thanks to new inkjet capabilities, development has exploded in the digital printing segment – a new solution comes onto the market every couple of months. This means we need plenty of flexibility when it comes to finishing solutions, too.”
A. Tamer Ardiç (Ankara), publisher of the two Turkish trade magazines “Matbaahaber” and “Printmarket”, is in complete agreement. In Turkey, digital printing is still a niche market predominantly served by printing shops. However, according to Ardiç: “Digital printing is becoming increasingly popular and it continues to attract market share away from offset printing, so even larger operations are starting to take notice of this topic. The same applies to in-line finishing systems like those offered by Muller Martini with its digital solutions range.” The digi:media trade fair gave trade journalists a good overview of the solutions on offer. “There were no outstanding innovations at the trade fair, but I assume we will be seeing this in a year’s time at drupa.”