Do you have any product or innovation that you would like to highlight above the rest at Graphispag?
The rising trend of personalisation and on-demand micro-production in the sector has led us to develop new solutions that respond to our customers and satisfy end-consumer demand. Graphispag will be the first time that some of these innovations will be seen in Spain, so we recommend that industry professionals, whether in graphic production or design, come to the Epson stand to see the new SureColor F1000 (A4 hybrid DTG/DTFilm printing for T-shirts and promotional products), SureColor V1000 (UV flatbed printer for rigid and all types of promotional items or design elements). But, of course, they will not be the only protagonists, because we continue to focus on more responsible production, with resin inks for more durable signage (SureColor R5000) or large format UV printing (SureColor V7000), as well as our expertise in any application with water-based inks, such as professional photography (with the new SC-P20500 and SC-P5300) or our high production dye sublimation printer (SureColor F11000/F10000).
What are the trends that, based on your experience in the sector, you believe will mark its future? Can you explain where you are strong in providing solutions to these challenges?
The sector must focus on personalisation and proximity production, without forgetting that there are many standards and directives that already demand attention to the reduction of environmental impacts. Thus, the textile sector, for example, must reduce water consumption and commit to the reuse and recyclability of materials, in addition to the reduction of energy consumption common to any type of sector. Our technology supports this. In the textile sector, whether with digital textile printing direct to fabric or garment, or with sublimation, we eliminate water almost entirely from the equation. But not only in pre-treatment and post-treatment, but also the residual element of the dyes used in analogue printing processes. Digital is here to stay and to provide a lower impact alternative at a time when the responsibility of all individuals, companies and administrations is under the watchful eye of the future. The regulatory framework that is already here also has a great impact on the traceability of processes and resources used in industrial production. In this sense, Epson’s certifications as a manufacturer of technology and inks provide security to those who trust in our leadership and innovation to give the right response.
This edition of the show uses the claim “Printing Value” to give the graphics sector the importance it deserves. Following the same logic, we would like to highlight the profile of printers. We know that they are a fundamental part of the chain and their technical knowledge and experience make the projects of end customers a reality thanks to the good use of your solutions. Could you please highlight the value of your innovation by explaining a real success story from a printer/collaborator?
The reduction of water consumption and waste production in the field of textile decoration and fashion is a factor to be addressed almost as a matter of urgency. Our SureColor SC-F sublimation printer technology is a response to this need, as well as industrial textile printing with digital technology for direct printing on all types of fabrics, with Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric. As paradigmatic cases, Texia (located in Monistrol de Montserrat, Barcelona) is in the process of transition and expansion thanks to digital printing with pigment inks directly on fabric. This technology has enabled them to drastically reduce water consumption, optimise production (eliminating storage space for rollers, plates and cylinders) and even rethink production processes to localise part of the supply chain and recover waste for reuse.
Elsewhere, in Getafe (Madrid), Arte y Tela is producing great work and high-quality applications for exhibitions, interior decoration and signage using a range of Epson solutions, from dye sublimation to large-format UV printing. Or AMPublicidade (in Porto, Portugal), which has seen the advantage of using resin inks with SureColor R5000 for the outdoor signage of some of its most important clients, boosting the durability and resistance of the finishes; or also using it in vinyl printing, eliminating odours and improving sustainability in both production and application. All these cases can be viewed on Epson Spain’s YouTube channel.
