Page 4 - Print 21 Sep-Oct 2019

PrintEx19 Delivers a
PrintEx19, Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging Expo concluded last week, with plenty for both visitors and exhibitors to take away from the show. We look back at the highlights of the year’s leading B2B marketplace for print, sign, display, labels and packaging.
The PrintEx19 theme, ‘Step Into the Future’, set a clear purpose for the show – to provide a window into the trends, technologies and strategies which will help businesses plan for success in what is still a very dynamic market.
More than 120 suppliers exhibited over some 6,000m2
of exhibition space at the Sydney Showground. Digital technologies, automation and workflows predominated, with ‘Industry 4.0’ solutions like product verification and AR innovations vying for attention with showstoppers like 3D printing and a host of other options.
From fluorescent and UV-visible inks, to synthetic media and paperboard products, from flexible packaging and labelling solutions, to textiles and DTG technologies – there was not much that was missed at PrintEx – except perhaps the offset presses of old, although there were still plenty of consumable and ancilliary options to explore alongside the opportunities digital provides.
As always, the PrintEx Forum Series delivered a valuable complement to the expo, kicking off each morning with ‘Business@Breakfast’ featuring keynote addresses from
Dr Ross Honeywill, Rowena Curlewis, Scott Browning and Penny Locaso. These were followed by a daily program of masterclasses, panel sessions and workshops covering everything from innovation and retail trends, to label design and energy options, and even how the signage sector is being impacted by new fire and building regulations.
Proceeds from the breakfast sessions, together with the auction of a painting, completed at PrintEx19 by artist James Patrick at the 36th National Print Awards, also raised funds for the show’s two ‘charities of choice’. A total of $4,415 was presented to Man Anchor to further its mental health awareness and training, and $2,815 went to Share the Dignity to help provide sanitary products
for women and girls who are homeless or fleeing from domestic violence.
While overall visitor numbers at the show were slightly down on 2015 – just over 5000 visitors attended this year – Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper says the figures were only a little below expectation, particularly given
the continuing consolidation of the industry over the past four years.
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