INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk January / February 2025 - Issue 352 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Hunkeler Innovationdays returns for 2025 Pre- and post-press printing manufacturer, Hunkeler, has officially announced its 15th bi-annual Innovationdays event for 2025. The digital print trade show, which is set to include over 100 exhibitors from across the industry, will take place from February 24th to 27th at the Lucerne Exhibition Centre in Switzerland. Among the exhibitors present will be major manufacturers of printing and finishing systems, software developers, and suppliers of finishing systems and consumables. For 2025, the event has been given the slogan ‘Connect’. Focuses for the event will include the experience of comprehensive networking, the exchange of ideas, and the establishing of global business relationships. Hunkeler has highlighted the originality of the event, saying it has always been “characterised by a unique concept”. The company says that owners, managing directors, and executives are able to meet in a “relatively small area” to exchange ideas and focus on new innovations. Hunkeler have also highlighted endto-end workflow automation as a major focus for this year’s show. Together with its partners, Hunkeler AG will be demonstrating a range of connected, automated production processes, designed for use on a wide variety of production systems. In an industry release, Hunkeler says: “The degree of automation ultimately determines how economically and profitably production lines from the white paper roll to the end product can be operated.” As with previous years, the event will also be used as an opportunity for manufacturers to premiere new products and solutions. The 2023 event, which focused on the theme of ‘Next Level Automation’, showcased a number of world and European firsts. Duplo used its presence at Hunkeler Innovationdays to host its European show debut of its DC20K single-pass sheet-bysheet multi-finisher, the manufacturer’s first foray into B2 for multi-finishers. Ricoh also demonstrated new technology at the show, unveiling its inkjet press capabilities with the global premiere of the Ricoh Pro VC70000e continuous feed inkjet press. Hunkeler themselves used the event to premiere products, with the launch of its Starbook book production line, as well as its DocuTrim B2+ sheet finishing device, and BSM book sorting module. The 2023 show reportedly attracted 6,700 visitors over the four days, with a total number of 14,300 visits from attendees. Visitors and exhibitors attended the 2023 event from all over the world, with 21% attending from Germany, 20% attending from Switzerland, 9% from the Americas, and 7% from the UK. The remaining visitors included large percentages from the rest of Europe, Benelux, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Those wishing to attend the event have been encouraged to go to the Innovationdays website, where more information can be found including how to register. Entry to the event is free of charge. Hunkeler showcased 22 solutions at the 2023 event, including the launch of the Starbook book production line By Jonathan Pert The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has reported that growth in output and orders ramped in Q3 in its latest Printing Outlook. The association says that the industry experienced a delayed recovery following a drop in output in Q2 which had been expected to come through earlier in the year. The association also says that while some uncertainty remains in the industry, Q4 expectations remain positive. Currently the concern that competitors are pricing below cost remains the top business concern for print companies. Commenting on the Printing Outlook Q4, Charles Jarrold, BPIF chief executive, says: “While improved confidence usually bodes well for the future, the recent government budget is bound to have an impact on confidence too, with significant red tape and cost implications that are worrying businesses. Our message to government is that just when confidence has been rebounding, a new set of challenges are being introduced through the budget and other legislation, which carry the risk of setting us back.” BPIF releases Q4 Outlook report Pantone has selected PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse as its colour of the year for 2025. Pantone’s Color of the Year programme is designed to engage designers, printers, and artists alike in a conversation around colour. Each year, Pantone attempts to select a colour that captures a global zeitgeist or expresses a global mood and attitude. Pantone has described Mocha Mousse as “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness”, describing it as having the ability to “nurture us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.” Alongside the reveal of the colour of the year, Pantone has demonstrated a range of applications for the Mocha Mousse hue. Print-on-demand wallpaper company, Spoonflower, has announced products using the colour of the year, releasing a range of wallpaper designs using PANTONE 17-1230. ‘Mocha Mousse’ declared Pantone colour of 2025 The BPIF's top concerns from research respondents By David Osgar
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