53 www.printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2024 - Issue 349 tions, driving demand for themed and personalised packaging and gift solutions.” In terms of adding value to products, Davidson says there are plenty of options on offer. He gives the example of personalised packaging whereby digital printing technology enables the creation of custom designs for each recipient, such as names, messages, or photos on the packaging or gift. This, he says, is a good option for items including personalised gift boxes. Other options include high-quality finishes like embossing, foil stamping, and UV coating, which can give gift packaging a luxurious look and feel – something Davidson says is ideal for corporate gift boxes. Looking further into the market and wider trends, Davidson says PSPs may consider focusing on sustainability and offering planet-friendly packaging solutions that appeal more to the environmentally conscious consumer. Possible products here include both recyclable and biodegradable gift wraps and boxes for environmentally minded brands. To sum up, there are certainly opportunities for growth within the personalisation and gifting markets, though offering customers something a little bit different and not just your usual run-of-the-mill products, will particularly help you win new work and take advantage of the more niche sectors of the market. that the appetite is out there and really the only limit is your imagination.” Aside from this, Macfarlane also picks up on the tote bag as another example of how PSPs can “think outside the box”. He explains that many businesses are already printing reusable bags for promotional purposes, and it is in response to growing demand in this area that Inkcups has launched the XJet Switch, direct-to-bag printer. “Beyond promotional usage, tote bags offer a unique opportunity to enhance a brand by serving as supplementary packaging,” he says, adding: “We expect to see tote bags and the likes to be utilised in more areas as time goes on.” Pushing the Boundaries In a similar move, Mimaki used FESPA 2024 to roll out the Kebab HS. Serving as an optional system to its UJF Series flatbed UV printers, the Kebab HS enables 360-degree printing onto cylindrical objects such as bottles and tumblers, as well as tapered objects including glasses and cups. Building on the capabilities of the Kebab MkII, the new Kebab HS is three times faster than the previous model and, as Mimaki says, significantly increases production efficiency. The Kebab HS takes approximately ten minutes to print per material, which the manufacturer says is ideal for users handling mid-volume orders with a single printer. It also opens up a wider range of application possibilities in UV printing by allowing personalisation on cylindrical and tapered items with sloping sides. Arjen Evertse, general manager for sales at Mimaki Europe, comments, “Here at Mimaki, we look to constantly innovate our existing products and create added opportunities for print service providers, and the launch of the Kebab HS is one of the latest examples of this. “As an optional solution, it allows the users of our popular UJF Series printers to add another dimension to their product offering and up their competitive edge.” The Kebab HS option can be quickly installed, requiring only the attachment of the main unit to the UJF Series print table. Hybrid Services is the exclusive distributor for Mimaki in the UK and Ireland. Opportunities for Growth Also championing these markets is Encore Machinery. Managing director Paul Davidson says there are several areas PSPs can look to in terms of growth, beginning with customised gifts. “Personalised items such as photo books, custom prints, and tailored gift boxes have become increasingly popular among consumers seeking unique, memorable gifts,” he says. “Then there are subscription boxes; the subscription service market is booming with monthly deliveries for beauty products, snacks, books, and more. Printers can focus on creating attractive and durable packaging solutions for these services. “PSPs can also consider corporate gifting, with businesses investing more in personalised gifts for employees and clients, particularly for special occasions and holidays. High-quality, branded packaging can enhance these gifts. “In addition, there is the option of event-specific gifts for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and other celebra- ▲ Encore says high-quality finishes such as embossing, foil stamping, and UV coating can give gift packaging a luxurious look FOCUS ON / PERSONALISATION AND GIFTING ▼ Mimaki’s new Kebab HS optional system enables 360-degree printing onto cylindrical objects Inkcups recently launched its Helix ONE solution to help break down barriers to entry into cylindrical direct-toobject printing Factoid
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