Enough with the content neglect, writer girl!

As I am sitting in the Exki cafe in Amsterdam Central, I realize that we’re almost wrapping up the first half of 2018. I’m taking some weeks off in July, that’s a positive. But the fact that I have neglected my own blog feed, is a bad marketing move on my part.

I’m returning from Savage Marketing, with a notebook full of quotes and a head full of ideas. And fingers that are itching to get back to work on my own content.

So here goes – a solemn promise to be providing an update on event impressions of the last couple of months. Not post-show enough for you? Point taken, I’ll make amends and tie in with short and long-term feedback.

First one up was C!Print in Lyon, France, in February – I gave my content to JumpLine on that one. And I gave it my all.

You can read the Dutch version here: https://www.jumpline.eu/cprint-als-inspecteur-gadget-in-frankrijk/

(Drop me a line if you want the English translation.)

Long story short in English:

- excellent content, but very French oriented. If don’t master the language, tant pis, the French speak English with a charming accent. But many European focused companies still fear it's too much of a French only show. Maybe a bilingual content section for the next edition to persuade them?

- all the marketing personalization opportunities! Promotional objects are all the rage. Get on board, this will be booming!

- why they split up CTCO and C!print for visitors is beyond me. People will find ways to sneak in. Bypass the printer or supplier? Why would you do that? Pricing? Those days should be over. And if not, you missed a boat.

- wonderful location, easy wandering that allows for a lot of visibility with visitors and press.

On a personal note:

- Lyon – get Uber. Taxi fees are preposterous.

- Overnight stays are more fun with frollegues room sharing.

- Lyon food is excellent, restaurant service is appaling.

- Four days in France work miracles for your French.

Just when you think it can get any crazier, the promotional market pulls out all the stops and wows you. So I hope people get over the French language barrier and visit this show. Most exhibitors speak English with the most charming accent. Go for the accent, stay for the amazing trinkets.

CMYK printing on a balloon - print anything you like to celebrate!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree - your cardboard red delights us

What do you do when Twitter deals you a winning hand? Get into the Christmas spirit I say. 

As I look back on 2016, I count my blessings to have been supported by some marvelous people. Together, we’ve travelled down a road they knew where it would lead me before I even did. I paid dues, I got some. Time to pay it forward.  

The background of this intro? A couple of weeks ago, I participated in a Twitter contest. Not in the hope of winning. In Dutch, we say you’re unlucky in the game when lucky in love. That and I thought the campaign was brilliant and I seldom pass on an opportunity to promote print. (sorry, my love J)

“Get into the Christmas mood – follow our account, RT our visual and you might just win.”

And win I did.

View fullsize

A 1,80m cardboard tree. An original take on a lasting Christmas decoration in your home. Cat can't cause too much damage, you can personalise the print with Christmas balls pictures of family members, no needles on the floor - not to mention a great piece of POS. Outstanding latex print technology, precision perfect cutting, printed by one of the most promising Belgian creative companies – 3Motion. All mine.

What to do with it? Pay it forward, of course. Time to put the 3 in Motion. (see what I did there?)

The school of my #5yo goes at great lengths every day to bring our multicultural community closer together. They invest, they care. And it works. I’m amazed at how close we all are – children, parents, school. So, when I saw how much effort they were putting into the school’s Christmas celebration to make it an interactive experience to bring people together, I knew what I had to do.

I donated the tree to the school. Surely they’d be able to enjoy it for far more years than I would. Not to mention I wanted to say thanks for the unceasing selfless efforts their teachers and even substitutes put into our children.

3Motion luckily loved the idea. Altruistically, they pushed their deadlines to make it happen in just 2 days’ time and fixed a broken-down lorry to make it to the church on time! They personalized the tree with the school’s logo and their delivery guy even helped us set it up in the church despite looming delivery deadlines. Now that’s service.

Again, my apologies to the ones who have been kept waiting. I’m not much of a church-goer myself, but I’ll put in a good word with the Man Above.

And it fitted perfectly into the nativity scene of the school’s Christmas play. The principal, teachers and most importantly, the kids absolutely loved it. Warms my heart to see everyone enjoyed it so much, the tree would have withered away in my living room.

Here’s to print – may it entertain many more generations to come. In cardboard or any other form.

Thank you for (y)our Christmas miracle, 3Motion. I’m sure we’ll enjoy this environmentally friendly Christmas memento for many years.

Have a wonderful Christmas time everyone. Best 2017 wishes from my family to yours!

Maya

#IPD16 - print does.

On #IPD16 we celebrate print. But what is print?

Print is business. Print is personal. Print does.

Here's what print did to me lately. What did it do for you?

Print is business.

Print is family fun. (and love)

Print is nostalgia.

Print is cheeky.

Print is fun with friends.

#drupa2016 – I ain’t seen nothing yet.

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.)

Personalise your bag. Seriously. Shut up and take my money!

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!)

A memory to treasure forever - and a piece unique on every occasion. (Hopefully.)

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.

Stimulating the senses is everything for the little ones. Let's not forget smell, an essential survival skill. Love how print can stimulate this.

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.

What else will they get out of the rabbit hole next?

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.

Printed - all printed! So many prints!

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

No one on the #drupa2016 red sofa couch? I couldn't resist. Thanks for letting me hijack it guys!

Print along if you feel like a room without a roof

Today is the International Day of Happiness. And as I look back at some of the latest happy moments in my life, I noticed quite a big chunk of it involved print. And some Fespa tokens.                                            

What makes me happy?

1.     Finding kids' street art in Amsterdam en route to Fespa.

2.     The beautiful calligraphy of the names of my household, courtesy of Better Letters. Worth the wait at Fespa. Adorning my wall and admired by all who visit our house. “What a neat idea to have all your names together instead of just a family picture!” My thoughts exactly. Combine it with some simple truthful words on a random poster on a street corner and you'll find me counting blessings at my kitchen's counter.

High tide, low tide

Low tide, high tide

As it comes

So it goes

Sometimes someone just has to print it out for you.

3.     When traveling it is hard to bring back something your kid will love enough to make up for the absence. But when I saw this grocery bag, fabric by Georg + Otto Friedrich GmbH, I knew a little someone who’d think the world of me. And did she ever. Fespa superhero mom got a smiley on the happiness indicator.

3.     Taking the #4yo to the circus and having a fab time enjoying this artistry. She did not want to shake the hand of the clown, until she learned that would earn her a colourful flag. She has held onto the flag all day long, proud as punch. Tomorrow we’re taking it to school. Nothing lasts like a printed memory to put in the memory treasure box.

5.     Last but not least, snuggling up in the couch in my new fave T-shirt, courtesy of DTG printer M&R Print. I passed by the booth at Fespa and saw Willie Nelson staring at me. Exceptional quality in terms of DTG print. I fell in love instantly, with both the print and the image. Got their business card for my friend who is a screen printer, kept Willie all to myself.

Three cords and the truth – that’s what a country song is. – Willie Nelson

Looking forward to drupa to source some new happy moments!

I hope you had a happy day too. What made yours?