The Print Show will open its doors at the NEC tomorrow (Tuesday) despite fears that the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II might mean a last minute change of plans for the first show since 2019. In the event the funeral was to be shown on large screens while the final touches were being made to exhibitors’ stands. Many have worked harder at the weekend to reduce what needs to be done on the eve of the show.
There are more than 100 companies represented on the floor (some sharing a presence on a single stand) and while litho presses and technology are absent, there is plenty of digital print, large format, MIS and other software and especially finishing to entertain visitors.
Before the weekend more than 14,000 had preregistered to attend and while organisers accept that not all will turn up, there is quiet optimism for a strong turnout. A promotional gift of personalised miniature of gin as a demonstration of collaboration between EPS, Ricoh printing from ASL and finishing from Morgana has proved so popular that the planned number was quickly allocated and a further batch provided.
“We are hoping that 40% of those that register will come,” says exhibition director Chris Davies. Exhibition organisers generally anticipate one in three preregistrees will reach the show. Davies thinks that the lack of show for three years and lack of events for printers to meet peers will play in the event’s favour. “We think the eventual numbers will be north of 5,000,” he says.
There is a noticeable trend towards the guest celebrities, with gardener and television host Monty Don seeming to be the most popular, followed by former boxer Frank Bruno and Countdown host Nick Hewer. Key products for the show will include Morgana’s new DB4000 booklet maker, the Konica Minolta AccurioShine, Vivid’s Velo Taper tape applicator and the Kyocera Taskalfa 15000C sheetfed inkjet press.
The Print Show runs from 10am on 20 September to 4pm on 22 September.
