Now that FESPA Digital is just round the corner, what can we expect to see? Certainly we will have most of the usual suspects exhibiting, and there'll be a sprinkling of new product launches, revised inks and the latest in materials. But, in terms of printing technologies, this doesn't look like it's going to be a year which will have us stunned in the aisles.

Nonetheless, manufacturers are using FESPA Digital for introductions and, doubtless, systems integrators will also be out in force along with those that make the specialist elements which make today's wide-format technology work. In terms of software, there have been several developers bringing out revisions to existing RIPs and colour management packages, and we're certainly now seeing greater emphasis on workflow.

Does an event such as FESPA Digital really need to be the epitome of innovation in order to be a success? My thoughts are that it doesn't because what we're going to see is the consolidation of today's digital technology and what is emerging as a result of its acceptance as a production process. We might not be riveted with excitement as we were in the early days of ink-jet, but that's not a bad thing; nowadays we can be more objective about new and existing product lines and what they can do.

The ValueJet 1628TD is one of Mutoh's introductions at FESPA Digital

All is not old, of course. There's news in from both Mutoh and Mimaki about printer additions at FESPA Digital, with the first of these manufacturers taking a major slot in Print Shop Live. On this stand, Mutoh is demonstrating its new 2.6m ValueJet TD direct-to-fabric printer in combination with a thermo-fixation unit and, in its main area, there will be new ValueJet eco-solvent models as well as textile solutions.

Mimaki is also launching a new fabric machine with the TS-34-1800A sublimation transfer printer aimed at applications where elasticity and the quick-drying properties of polyesters need to be addressed. This is targeted at the sportswear and soft sign markets. It's also featuring UV-curable products, with the flat-bed JFX-1631plus being complemented by the latest versions of its nifty desktop solution, the UJF-3042HG and the UJF-3042FX.

Agfa is also taking FESPA Digital seriously with the international debut of the 2.54m :Anapurna M2540 FB, a dedicated flat-bed engine which incorporates Agfa's UV-curable ink-jet technology in a photographic quality platform. Featuring six colours plus white, this machine has a two-table vacuum zone, plus simplified double-sided printing.

Barcelona is home territory for HP, and the company's line-up includes the first major appearance of the new HP Designjet latex duo, the L28500 and L26500, both of which include new enhancements and an improved ink formulation to tempt more people to use this chemistry. HP is also participating in Print Shop Live where I'll be running the narrower of these machines. Covering other areas, the company is also demonstrating aqueous-based display and photo printers along with a UV-curable platform, and will have plenty of information on the HP Scitex FB7600 and revised inks.

Following the trend for better integration in workflow, EFI is concentrating on software as well as hardware, including the new EFI Fiery XF proServer which looks after the growing demand for more efficient processing speed, and reduces machine down-time. This will be demonstrated driving a trio of different 3.2m platforms with the VUTEk GS3250r roll-to-roll wide-format printer, the GS3250LX which uses LED curing, and the TX3250r textile printer.

In development terms, there should be the chance to see some of the advances we've been hearing about in recent times, with opportunities to see products like the Xanté Excelagraphix 4200 with its Memjet print-heads. Likewise, information just in from Lynx Europe states that there's a new UV-curable option being showcased, SAi is to debut its new PixelBlaster production software and Optimus Cloud is to show its new suite of modules which have an holistic approach to MIS, including a web-to-print option.

These software-related announcements are significant in that its importance is becoming more prevalent. It's now extending beyond RIP and colour management programs, providing a strong indication that PSPs from all sectors are moving towards a more integrated management and production approach. We might have harnessed quality and speed requirements in the machines we use, but efficiency in workflow is becoming ever more critical.

The forthcoming FESPA Digital might not be stuffed to the brim with exciting new technologies. But what it will do is enable visitors to extend their existing production solutions with complementary equipment, materials and software. See you in Barcelona.

Part one of Sophie Matthews-Paul's FESPA Digital preview is available here.