Attendees were lined up to get on the show floor right from the first day of SGIA 2014 Expo. More than 22,000 registered attendees and 541 exhibitors, which set a new record of highest ever crowd and participants at the expo, filling the halls where showing latest and existing machineries and technologies in action. Main attractions at the show included the announcement of the winners of the Golden Image and Product of The Year competitions. The outstanding works of the winners were put on display in the Golden Image Gallery. In addition, more than 100 educational sessions conducted on the sidelines of the show offering unprecedented opportunities to grow business.

AGFA Graphics’ Jeti Titan HS was named ‘Product of the Year’ in one of the prestigious competitions among 139 entries from 68 companies in 25 different categories. The competition recognised the latest equipment and supplies currently on the market that are advancing the specialty imaging industry. Jeti Titan HS flatbed UV printer (with FTR option) of 122 x 79 inch, six-colour plus white (CMYKLcLmWW) is equipped with two rows of the latest generation 1,280-nozzle Ricoh Gen 5 printheads for maximum productivity.

Global launches

Among the landmark global debuts at SGIA 2014 Expo included Durst’s introductions of two advanced production printers—the fully automated Rho 1312 with unprecedented media handling and Rhotex HS for soft signage applications at the highest productivity levels. Rho 1312 is 98-inch, capable to handle up to 620 sq m/hr and Rhotex HS achieves production speeds of more than 400 sq m/hr, making it one of the fastest digital soft signage printers as on today in the market. Also debuted worldwide amid big cheers was AGFA Graphics’ new Anapurna M2500i with optional Automated Board Feeder (ABF), which is the company’s most recent i-series introduction.

Signified zones

Special zones donned unrivalled attractions at SGIA 2014 Expo. Industry experts at different zones, viz. Installation, Colour Management, Textiles, Garment Decoration and Sustainability, at the show stressed on the understanding one could ever thought possible from just one show. ‘Growing Market: Digitally Printed Textiles’ was the topic at the Textiles Zone in which a wealth of information on digital textile printing including technical and design requirements, recommended workflows, colour management tips, finishing techniques, and recommended best practices for a variety of ink and fabric combinations. Among the keynote speakers were Mike Compton of Top Value Fabrics, Scott Fisher of Fisher Textiles, among others.

Sustainability Zone revealed the best sustainability practices through great success stories. With persuasive notes from industry leaders like Marci Kinter of SGIA, Jonathan Graham of HP and others, this zone focused on sustainable business solutions. The speakers in the zone advocated the understanding of best practices through great success stories on energy reduction, recycling programmes and much more. Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) Graphics Application Zone delivered the knowledge and practice on new techniques and materials, such as vinyl installation and other applications. Graphics professionals like Ritchie Daize from Arlon, Wayne Colbath from Drytac, Craig Campbell from Orafol and Jason Yard from MACtac were among the panel of experts delivering valuable solutions in this zone.

Live sessions at Colour Management & Workflow Solutions Zone helped attendees improve the way they manage and control colour workflow. Select industry colour experts like Bryan Manwaring from ONYX Graphics talked on the topic ‘A Beginner’s Guide: Go Beyond Default Color Settings’ followed by other stimulating talks on ‘High Margin Digital Applications’ by Jun Kurokawa of Seiko Instruments; Michael Maxwell of Mimaki on ‘Concepts in Color Characterization and Validation’; Peter Pretzer from FUJIFILM on ‘Increase Your Profits with Color Management’; Dean Derhak of SAi on ‘Your Color Toolbox: Solving Process Control Problems,’ and many other sessions.

This dynamic show will return to Atlanta from November 4–6, 2015 with the industry’s widest array of qualified and educated attendees to experience the updated technology and opportunities next year.