NEC exhibition

[TonyM]

Hi all.

I just thought I would report on the exhibition at the NEC today,
First thoughts were all the massive crowds.
Then I realised it was the Caravan and Boat show and we still had a 2 mile walk.

I had a great time and learned a lot.

I did feel it was heavilly weighted towards embroidery, and there were some spectacular sights. I guess with the high costs of these machies the manufacturers have to go all out at such events.
As soon as you went through the check in there were two stands with massive, and I mean massive machines with eight heads embroidering a world cup logo. Absolutely fascinating to watch and the speed is quite hypnotic.
The screen printing section was awesome, as was the new equipment that prints on such things as pens and key fobs etc.
Only thing was these were all very specialised and geared up to mass production costing many thousands of pounds. Great to watch but very commercial. Hey that’s what they were there for?
There were plenty of stands that advertising various substrates to sub onto and they were all very helpful regarding questions.
I did like things like the ribbon printer. You loaded a plain ribbon and a silver (or other colour) roll and it printed the ribbon in silver. Congratulations and the such like. Smaller that a children’s shoe box and I liked it, but a £485 with only a sample of ribbon and foil, how much ribbon would one have to sell to break even? There was a very similar item but it printed onto a silver reel. That looked really nice and was advertised at £200 knocked down to £50. But on listening to the exhibitor talking to an interested candidate it was the software that was at the knockdown price and thae system was actually £600. When the candidate said he did not require the very small laptop that came with the system, he was told that without the laptop it was £550.
Yes I do have my figures correct.
Advertised as £50 knocked down from £200.
(that is just the software, but you are led to believe it is for the system)
Actual price £600
Don’t need the laptop? £550
I asked can I just have a dozen of the laptops for £600. The man laughed, but I wasn’t joking and wanted to tell him I felt that it was misleading and perhaps a breach of the trades description act.
Overall, I had a good time and learned a lot.
It showed me the possibilities and opportunities that exist and I am glad I went.
Tony

[Justin]

Thanks for the feedback on the show Tony :D

I expected it to be geared towards embroidery and screen printing but hope that there'd be a few more sublimation suppliers there. Did you speak with any of the usual suspects on such stands?

I don't suppose there was much in the way of new technology, maybe the Ricohs were more widely used rather than the Epsons?

It's down to us as a community to push sublimation and make the industry larger and stronger. New products/blanks/printers etc.

[TonyM]

Hi Justin

If you mean did I speak to people from here on the stands, I wouldnt know, I am very new.
I did have a nice chat to a young Lad on the xpress stand.

He showed me how to do the mugs and said it was 180Deg for 180 secs so easily remembered.
I told him of my dilemna with my printer and why I was still a virgin :oops:
He took my name and address and said he would post me some seals and filters etc.
I wont hold my breath though. But he was very helpful.

I just loved the metal clocks huge printers that printed on to a miriad of objects, but als way beyond my range.

One thing,

It was £8 to park, but when i came out there was no-one in the shed that advertised the prices,
I drove to the barrier and a man was outside having a cigarette. I slowed right down and looked in at a young lad that just gave me a blank look. The barrier was up and no-one came to me so I just drove out.
I hope I dont get done foe evading payment?
I did check the kiosk I did slow and I looked at the attendants, but nothing, so I drove off.
Strange?
What was I supposed to do, just give a lad £8 and nothing to show for it?
Knowing my luck I am due a fine now.
At least I will have this post as evidence I tried to pay.

Tony

[Justin]

I've used Xpres for years and got to know their tech support folk very well. I was offered a job there which I bitterly regret turning down :( I had the bee in my bonnet to set up by myself at that time.

Their support was always first class but I've found this last year things havn't been quite so good. I know one of my regular contacts there left so it wasn't as easy to communicate.

Forget about the parking fee, you tried to pay and then waited to get out. If the barrier was up what more could you do?!

[accdave]

I parked on East 5, the first one you come to. There was no parking fee advertised nor was the kiosk open anyway.

[TonyM]

Hi Dave
That is correct.
There is a little white shed as you leave the carpark. There is a notice that tells you it £8 but no-one in there.

Did anyone pay car park charges?

Tony

[Karen.]

We did. We took advantage and went up Saturday night, staying in one of the hotels. Breakfast then drove round to the NOrth car parks. Whenever I visit the NEC I pay when we park to avoid queues to pay when everyone leaves. There was someone collecting ticktes in the car park we used.

[mrs maggot]

went up yesterday for a quick look see, and it was a quick look, im amazed that say AWD have their stand with hoodies on, then everyman and his dog who distributes them, has them as well. best part of the show was the gallery of t's imho, was good to see some of the results people are getting using the different processes.

[accdave]

im amazed that say AWD have their stand with hoodies on, then everyman and his dog who distributes them, has them as well.

I've been told they are owned by Ralawise

[castlegategiftcreations]

I have gone down for the last 3 years and although I do really enjoy it I also find that it is more geared towards screen printing and embroidery (both of which I am not interested in).

Usual companies there but did find one new sublimation supplier (not too much at the moment) who was showing new sublimation blocks. I thought they were fantastic. Solid blocks (glass) that you sublimate through from the back for 8mins.

Xpres/TMT very busy as would be expected. I actually spoke to one lady who was looking for some information about sublimation and transfer printing. She already does screen printing but wants to try something new. She said that when she went up to both xpres and tmt she found that the guys at these stands were telling her that she could print mugs, t shirts, clocks etc etc but what she wanted to know was what was the equipment she would need and what did they think might be right for her as all she wanted to do was print t shirts not everything else.

I must have spent about half and hour speaking to her - answering all the questions she wanted to ask and as she left she said that I had been much more help to her than any of the exhibitors there!!!

Had a fab weekend - stayed in the Hilton with my daughter which was beautiful. Went to cadbury world on the saturday (yum yum) and to see Holiday on Ice at the LG Arena on Sat. night which was amazing. Roll on next year!!!