Marko Djuric, Epson – The Future of the Graphic Industry Lies in the Personalization of Printing

After a two-year break, the International Graphic, Paper and Creative Industry Fair, the popular Grafima, was held in Belgrade. It was also an opportunity for Epson, the Japanese company which is one of the biggest producers of printers in the world, to showcase the latest printing technologies to the local audience.

Marko Djuric, C&I Senior Account Manager for the Balkans, says for eKapija that the company presented itself at the fair through numerous novelties, among which is a European premiere, but that his main impression is that everybody from the industry was hungry for direct contact with the clients after a long break caused by the pandemic.

– We are truly happy that we are able to communicate with the purchasers this way again. Despite the fact that everything is being moved to web platforms and social networks, traditional communication of the market of these technologies is still kept, and the main and the best-quality communication is done precisely through fair activities, because these are mostly industrial products, which entail a different manner of sales.

eKapija: What kinds of changes has the coronavirus pandemic brought to the graphic industry?

– The pandemic has changed the graphic industry in the way that it is increasingly moving in the direction of concrete addressing and responding to the needs of the clients. So, the personalization of printing has been accelerated due to the pandemic. We have an increasing need for personal printing, not just through web networks, but through what we wear, eat, everything that is around us. From the moment we get up, we are surrounded by messages which are communicated toward us, but also those we communicate toward others. But to communicate through ads the right way, you have to be unique. New printing technologies speak to it precisely. In the industrial environment, there is an increasing number of smaller, concrete personal series which are placed on the market and which enable the users to express their creativity the right way – through simplicity in printing, without deviating from the quality.

eKapija: What did Epson present at this year’s Grafima and what drew the most attention?

– This year, for the first time, we are showcasing UV technology in the domain of signage industry, which is already present in the market of Serbia, but is new in our portfolio. It is a technology which is used for personal prints and ad communication through graphic solutions, primarily in the industry.

At the fair, we presented the new model SureColor SC-V7000, a UV flatbed printer which prints on various kinds of materials, such as PVC, metal, wood etc. Our UV printer stands out for the quality of printing and the flexibility of the printing itself, considering that it is able to print 3D effects through the lacquer which is configured into the printer itself. This project also drew the most attention at our stand.

Also, personalized printing through textile is on the rise and we see our opportunity there and I can say that we are leaders in the market in that segment. Therefore, from the textile segment, I would highlight the fair promotion of the new model SureColor F6400H. “H” is the tag for models which are configured with fluorescent colors, and this is a model which is presented for the first time in the Balkans market and practically for the first time at the European level at a fair of this type, and it will be available for sale from December.

SC-F3000, which prints directly on clothes, was presented as one of the important novelties in the industry.

Finally, there’s the resin ink technology that we promoted at the beginning of the pandemic, which entails resin-based ink. It belongs to the signage segment, but it produces its best effect in interior decoration, so, at this fair, we highlighted an app for printing on wallpapers.

eKapija: You haven’t forgotten small businesses either.

– Of course, Epson has clients from entrepreneurs to the high industry. For small businesses, we have printers which suit small entrepreneurs, in-house corporations, small print shops, that is, for initial business phases. One of them is SC-F100, Epson’s first A4 printer for color sublimation. With an imprint of an A4 floor-standing printer, this device is also perfect for the production of promotional goods and personalized gifts, such as cups, keychains, mobile phone covers and other small items, when space is the primary concern. It also meets the needs of textile producers who want to create custom-made products such as bags, aprons, strips and pillows.

eKapija: You have mentioned the textile industry. To what extent are these new technologies in the graphic industry an opportunity for its development in Serbia?

– The textile industry is developing at an accelerated pace here. Epson cooperates with well-positioned companies which also export products to foreign markets, especially in the domain of sports clothes. That is where I see the opportunity for the development of our textile industry – the pandemic and the hampered logistics have led to the fact that big players are increasingly ready to cooperate with local companies. That’s where an opportunity for local businesses to develop opens. Also, there are more and more brands that want to have a “Made in Europe” label and that is an opportunity for our textile companies, not just in Serbia, but also in the region.

eKapija: What are the company’s further plans in Serbia?

– The aim is to position ourselves as well as possible in the market, to invest more and more and to increase our portfolio. Epson carefully pays attention to the needs of end-users and seeks to respond to them with technology. The future of this industry is in the personalization of the users’ needs and the companies which adapt to the new reality will be successful, and Epson is among them.

B. Petrovic

Predstavništvo EPSON ITALIA S.p.A.

Epson

Epson Serbia

Marko Đurić

Grafima 2022

International Graphic Paper and Creative Industry Fair

graphic industry

printers

production of printers

new printing technologies

UV printer

SureColor SC V7000

SC F3000

direct printing on clothes

Resin ink

SureColor F6400H

fluorescent printing colors

printers for small businesses

printers for the industry

SC F100 printer

A4 printer for color sublimation