It’s the inkjet drupa! It’s the nano drupa! Isn’t drupa what you make of it? For me, it’s about inspiration, application and commercialisation. If I were a printer, I’d like to find a solution that either optimises my current business model (but don’t get me started on automation just yet) or opens up new money-making opportunities for me.

We all saw the Highcon flowers and dresses, the Landa show (well, I haven’t actually, but I saw plentiful pictures) and Xerox hiring the Ministery of Sound to beef up the stand. Impressive to say the least, but I went looking for the little things that make users aware of the greater good print has to offer us and our margin. Little things, such as...

1.     Personalised purses? Shut up and take my money!

The ladies on the Agfa Graphics stand in Hall 8a sported cute waistpurses. I couldn’t resist and asked where they got those. Tailor-made in-house print. Imagine finding the pattern of your dreams and being able to transpose it to your bag. This could revolutionise the fashion industry even further. No tacky-looking plastic cheap handbags. The high quality can take fashion personalisation to a new level. Curious to see what they’ll be displaying at InPrint 2016 in Milan in November. Last time they displayed the personalised shoes. What will they do next? (I’m a 36, @agfagraphics, just saying. And looking for a mint green purse btw.)

2.     Going to the drupa and we’re gonna get ma-ha-harried.

This couple caught my eye. It’s a pity of the reflection in the image, but these tiny people were so life-like, I was baffled. How wonderful is it to get scanned in your wedding attire beforehand (all relaxed and groomed to perfection), so you have the perfect figurine on the wedding cake and a lifelong memory of your special day? I also saw some other 3D applications, but this I love. If ever I get married, I am so doing this. (If you're the exhibitor, let me know, so I can accredit you, I lost my flyer!)

3.     What’s that smell?

I noticed the advert of Schubert International in the drupa daily. Although I love the smell of ink and machinery anytime, the whiff of peppermint oozing from the drupa daily was refreshing. So when I passed by the stand, I was even more impressed with the other solutions. Children’s books with everyday smells to get them acquainted with their senses, inviting them to explore further. It was a pity there was not a small give-away or even the possibility to buy an application on stand. I would have definitely purchased then and there. On the look-out for the Belgian distributor. I want. And so would my #5yo.

4.     The book that binds.

You can print just about anything digitally, but it’s the binding that makes the book. I got a quick demo of the process at CP Bourg and was surprised at the speed of it. In a mere few minutes, pages were cut to the desired size, bound and delivered. It can handle about any size and bind type. Wonderful solution for a quick remake of literature favourites, such as Alice in Wonderland. And with the digital print combo, there is great potential for book on demand, dedicated prefaces or limited editions for events. Even in the shortest of time spans. Curiouser and curiouser indeed.

5.     Print is everywhere.

If you didn’t visit the Kodak loft, you surely missed out. Strolling through the interior all the while thinking “really, this is printed”? Kodak made sure to inform you what was printed using which technology. Very informative and hands-on in an entertaining and non-invasive manner. I’d go for the printed table-top with my favourite picture. Personalise your house, love it.

Alas, time is limited. Which is why, even after a full week on site,  I feel like I’ve seen nothing yet.

Help me out here. What was your biggest find at the show? Where do you see the potential of print?

See you at #drupa2020.

Maya Staels