The market for photo products - such as books, calendars and other
promotional material - continues to enjoy explosive growth because of
customer demand and the relatively high margins they carry. Visitors will
see end-to-end workflow that demonstrates how printers can create a range of
different high value bespoke products using digital images, facilitated by a
collaboration between Ashgate, Duplo, Konica Minolta, Lumejet, Renz and
Taopix, with staff on hand to explain the opportunities this market
presents.

Meanwhile electronics can be a pivotal component of a printed piece to
introduce an element of interactivity, such a posters featuring instruments
that can be played, and packaging that lights up. With further advancements
anticipated that could revolutionise the way electronic goods such as mobile
phone and digital displays are manufactured, a selection of companies -
including Ceradrop (an MGI Group company), Printed Electronics Ltd (PEL),
Novalia and Ryedale Group - will be expanding on this exciting market and
what it could mean for the future of the print industry. Ceradrop will be
showcasing the benefits of printed electronics through its CeraPrinter
X-Serie machine, while PEL will be handing out samples of printed circuits
from a demonstration machine on the stand, as well as bringing examples of
print and packaging that incorporate printed circuits. 

The zone will also look at the rapid rise of 3D printing. Treating it as an
extension of 2D printing, visitors will discover how a third dimension can
enhance a customer's proposition in packaging and high end printing, with
London Graphics Systems and Hobs 3D on hand to discuss the design and
creation of 3D technology for the print, packaging and media industry. The
emphasis is on how 3D design and printing forms part of a 2D workflow rather
than something far removed from the industry's experience.

"We're delighted to support the Future Innovations Zone at Ipex," says Ben
Fitzwilliams of London Graphics Systems. "With 3D printing ubiquitous in the
news at the moment, we're sure that many of the event's visitors will have
many questions about the potential of the technology and what it could one
day mean for their business. We have created a specialised 3D printing
division within LGS that is well versed in this area and consequently will
be able to provide insights into this exciting field." 

Miles Bentley, Commercial Director, Lumejet, comments: "The use of
photographic imagery in printed marketing literature has increased notably
over the last few years, helping to consolidate print's position as an
important part of the marketing mix. This continuing trend, coupled with the
emergence of photobook production as one of the fastest growing areas of the
professional printing business, has resulted in new high margin revenue
streams for print service providers. The Future Innovations Zone provides an
opportunity for professional print providers to see the full value chain
from creation to finishing and to see how easy it is to get involved in this
potentially lucrative market."

'We're looking forward to participating in the Future Innovations Zone at
Ipex 2014," says Chris Jones, Novalia Printed Electronics. "The potential
for printed electronics is enormous, and we'll give visitors a taster of
what can be achieved via Novalia's interactive print applications at the
event. Whether it is instantly downloading product information from a shop
window via your smartphone, hearing additional content by simply touching a
magazine cover or using printed adverts with a built-in social media sharing
button, it's an exciting field to be involved in, and we really hope the
visitors will be as enthusiastic as we are."

Trevor Crawford, Event Director, Ipex 2014 concludes: "Ipex explores all
levels and areas of the print supply-chain that will be relevant to visitors
now and in the future. Photo product printing, printed electronics and 3D
printing are all very exciting markets that could generate new revenue
streams for visitors. With inspiration a key theme of Ipex, the Future
Innovations Zone provides a snapshot of what the future could hold beyond
traditional print applications."