Over 215 visitors from 113 different print companies throughout the UK came from as far afield as Scotland, Devon and Ireland to see how open platform technology like JDF allows equipment from different specialists to be seamlessly networked together, from pre-press right through to the finishing of complex print products.

The original attendance targets were met halfway through the show and visitors were treated to a variety of new and exciting solutions from each of the suppliers.

Networking across the range of equipment was demonstrated live. All the jobs on display were real and the finished formats ranged from A3 to 2-up A5 landscape and die-punched stitched brochures. Visitors also witnessed real time change-overs on all of the machinery, much of which was totally automated.

Muller Martini showed its PrimaPlus AMRYS stitcher being switched from a Pratico compensating stacker to a Palamides stacker from Freidheim in just five minutes. In addition, a Valore stitcher was linked online to a Bograma multi die-cutter. The event also saw the European launch of the new processless thermal plate from Fuji, which was then printed on a five colour Komori Lithrone 28 press.

Other partners at the event included Technotrans, PaperCo, Baldwin and Weko.

Visitors were deeply impressed and commented positively on how the alliance of the leading suppliers demonstrated the importance of innovation and creativity to the print industry.

Roger Cartwright, Director of Sales at Muller Martini UK, commented: “All the suppliers involved have been delighted with the industry’s response to Workshop 05.The fantastic positive feedback from the visitors has given us the impetus to make this an annual event and I am already looking forward to Workshop 06.”