Noticeable at drupa 2012 is the volume of manufacturers whose machines are more commonly associated with the sign-making and display industries. The wide-format printers that don't sit at the high end are many and varied, and primarily are the engines which have been adopted by many companies wanting to reap the benefits of digital production without having to experience a mammoth investment path.

Away from the very high-end industrial printers comes a very long list of roll-to-roll, flat-bed and hybrid platforms which range from a few thousand pounds up to a six-figure sum. They come in sizes ranging from A2+ up to 5m, and all have their part to play in enabling users to produce perfectly good digital output, thus endorsing the capabilities of ink-jet technologies across all budgets and widths.

The ability to churn out posters, banners and other competitive applications is not the only focus for many businesses who want to buy a low-end or mid-range ink-jet printer. Ink formulations have led these machines to turn their hand to other types of output, notably the use of digital methodology for proofing and prototyping. This capability alone has provided a modestly priced tool to screen, offset, flexo and gravure businesses who want to speed up the proofing process, lower costs and bring in greater flexibility.

Interestingly, although UV-curable ink allows mock-ups onto materials being used in an active job, many of today's solvent-based formulations are also finding a role in proofing. Now that colour expectations are more likely to be matched using specialist software, being able to include white and metallic colours is a bonus, and regardless of ink type the ability to generate previews of jobs digitally is now universally accepted for many applications.

Agfa's :Jeti Titan 3020 is a typical mid-range industrial production printer appearing at this year's drupa

This year's drupa is also going to see an influx of what are best described as mid-range machines. Most of these concentrate on UV-curable ink technologies, with obvious exceptions such as HP's latex engines and textile machines for display and industrial production. Then there are specialist machines for labels and ceramics and we might get to see some additive prototyping solutions, too.

It's fair to say that, at this juncture, we have probably seen the majority of platforms which will be making an appearance in Düsseldorf. Yes, there have been many upgrades to existing engines, but in terms of technology and production, tweaks are more likely than brand new machines. Interest is sure to be high for Mimaki's latex equivalent and for its solvent UV, whose oxymoronic name belies an interesting prospect. Were Roland to sell its natty BN-20 or LEF-12 off its stand, these compact units would probably sell like hot cakes thanks to their low price. Epson, too, has some tricks up its sleeves with more following on from the arrival of the SureColor SC-S30600.

But if we move up to the 2m and 3.2m platforms, what changes can we expect? Most manufacturers are taking existing engines to drupa, albeit with latest versions of firmware, print-head technology and ink formulations. This sector is dominated by UV-curable printers, with a few exceptions in the textile printing arena. Remaining the bread-and-butter option for anyone wanting to produce durable output onto rigid and flexible materials, these solutions still prove their worth for users either wanting to upgrade or taking an initial leap into wide-format.

We can expect to see a good selection of revised machines posing as new models, but there's nothing wrong with that. Why change an appearance of an engine when the modifications have gone on under the bonnet? So don't ignore a familiar chassis under the misapprehension that there's nothing new working away beneath. Certainly Durst, EFI VUTEk and Agfa are among those who are demonstrating additions to existing printer families, whether the onus is on faster speeds, better colour control or lower cost of ownership.

One of the significant changes to how PSPs approach their new investments in this sector is the way they perceive what's important. For some, speed is the driver while, for others, the need to match PMS colours is more crucial. Integrated workflows are also becoming more relevant to busy production houses, with options such as variable data printing, a tie-in to MIS/ERP and JDF compliance also rating on purchasers' wish lists.

The days have long gone where drupa didn't cater for the ink-jet set, and virtually all manufacturers involved in wide-format will be exhibiting. It might not be the cosiest environment for having a one-to-one, but it enables potential purchasers to see exactly what's on offer.