Roland DG South Africa has announced it will launch the new TrueVis VG4-540 and VG4-640 eco-solvent print and cut devices at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo. The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at Gallagher Convention Centre.

The new TrueVis VG4-540 and VG4-640 combine class-leading image quality with advanced automation, intuitive operation, and lower running costs. The series delivers refined image quality through high-precision ink droplet control and advanced colour processing, producing sharper detail, smoother gradients, and accurate, repeatable colour reproduction.

With this launch, Red and Light Black TR3 inks become available for both the TrueVis VG4 Series and the TrueVis XG-640, extending colour expression and enabling more precise brand colour matching, richer mid-tones, and improved neutral greys. Existing ink options including Orange, Green, Light Cyan, Light Magenta, and White continue to support vibrant, high-definition output across a wide range of applications.

The result is exceptional colour matching, vibrant brand colours, and high-definition output across a wide range of applications, from signage and posters to vehicle wraps, window graphics, labels, and decals. White ink performance has also been significantly enhanced, delivering higher density and faster output for premium layered and backlit graphics.

Designed to keep production moving, the TrueVis VG4 Series introduces multiple workflow innovations that reduce setup time, minimise downtime, and simplify day-to-day operation.

Users can start printing directly from the printer’s control panel, removing unnecessary trips between RIP workstation and device. With Roland DG Connect, jobs can also be managed remotely, from preparing output and monitoring status to starting prints, even when away from the production floor. The TrueVis VG4 Series ships with VersaWorks 7, Roland DG’s latest RIP software for Windows and macOS. Featuring faster processing, native PDF 2.0 support, advanced colour tools, and variable data printing, VersaWorks 7 helps users achieve accurate, repeatable results, even on complex jobs, whilst simplifying colour matching and media profile creation.

Accurate media setup is simplified through stored media presets that can be recalled at the touch of a button, helping operators achieve consistent results with minimal adjustment. Long-run print and cut workflows are supported by an included take-up unit and perforation sheet cut function, reducing finishing time and enabling efficient unattended operation.

The VG4 Series is engineered for efficiency. Improved ink utilisation and optimised print modes deliver up to 30% lower ink consumption compared to competitor devices, while enhanced self-maintenance allows users to replace key components themselves, reducing service downtime.

The TR3 inks, compatible with both the TrueVis XG and VG4 Series, are GBL-free and supplied in cardboard-based cartridges, supporting Roland DG’s commitment to sustainability. Finished prints are GREENGUARD Gold certified, making them suitable for indoor environments such as retail, hospitality, and public spaces.

The event is sponsored by Roland and Stixo. Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign.

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR  Roland DG Tel: +27 11 875 9300 Website: http://www.rolanddg.co.za

Erik Mello, Chief Operations Officer, Mello Imaging Technologies, writing for Drytac, advises print service providers on streamlining their print media inventory. He emphases how a simpler lineup can save time and money.

If you walk into almost any large-format print shop, you’ll likely see the same thing: a media rack overflowing with half-used rolls from a dozen different manufacturers, each one a remnant of a past job that seemed to call for something specialised. It’s one of the most common and costly inefficiencies in the industry.

As someone who visits print shops regularly, I’ve been having more and more conversations with customers about how to fix this. The solution isn’t complicated, but it does require a shift in how you think about your inventory.

The Case for Simplifying

Most print shops don’t need 15 different vinyl options. In practice, the vast majority of jobs, roughly 90%, can be handled by two or three well-chosen core media types. The goal is to identify materials that offer the broadest application coverage at the highest quality, without breaking the budget. Streamlining your lineup isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about being strategic.

Why Inventory Sprawl Hurts Your Business

Before getting into solutions, it’s worth understanding why the problem persists. Every time a unique job comes through, it’s tempting to source a specialised product. That works for the job at hand, but what happens to the leftover roll? It sits on your rack, paid for, taking up space, and slowly becoming obsolete. Over time, this creates what I call a ‘graveyard’ of materials: inventory you’ve already spent money on but may never use again.

Beyond the financial waste, a bloated media lineup creates operational headaches. The more materials cycling through your shop, the harder it becomes to maintain clean job records. Knowing which substrate was used for which client, under what conditions, and how it performed is the kind of institutional knowledge that’s hard to build when your variables are constantly changing.

Tracking Real-World Performance

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all vinyl. But there are materials that come close, and sticking to a core group means you can track how they perform over time. You’ll know how a product holds up in different environments, how it responds to various print conditions, and when it’s the right call versus when it isn’t. That confidence is something you simply can’t build when you’re constantly rotating through unfamiliar products.

Consistency in your materials also means consistency in your results, and that’s something your clients will notice.

Building a Leaner, Smarter Inventory

The right core lineup will vary depending on your shop’s primary applications, but a well-rounded selection typically covers three bases: a reliable permanent option for everyday graphics, a removable solution for short-term or event work, and a heavy-duty product for challenging surfaces.

When you simplify around materials like these, you stop spending time second-guessing substrate choices and start spending it on the work that moves your business forward.

Simplifying your inventory is one of the highest leverage changes you can make, not just for your bottom line, but for the clarity and confidence it brings to your entire production process.

MIDCOMP
+27 10 020 9999
consumables@midcomp.co.za
www.midcomp.co.za

The FESPA Africa And Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity, is taking place from 8-10 September 2026. Experience trends in screen and pad printing, promotional products, and branding.

Visitors can also see opportunities in:

– Vehicle wrapping and paint protection films.

– Signage and sign systems.
– Digital signage and LED displays.
– Wayfinding, banners and display systems.
– Textile, apparel and DTF printing.
– Laser cutting, CNC and engraving.
– Vinyls, media and substrates.
– Colour management and RIP software.
– AI Design and workflow automation.
– 3D printing and 3D milling.
– Laminating and print finishing.
– Sportswear.
– Print and cut (labels).
– Digital packaging.

Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa And Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign. The event is taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

I want to exhibit.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.fespaafrica.com

Stuart & Marks are direct importers of all their own products and the company converts from jumbo reels to custom length rolls for the printing industry. The company will exhibit its comprehensive media range at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo. The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at Gallagher Convention Centre.

Stuart and Marks have recently added fabric to their ever increasing range of products. The fabric options available perfectly complement their dye sublimation papers. There are various options available for apparel and rolls are available in 1500mm wide.

The company offer an extensive range of large format digital printing media, which include dye-sublimation papers, tissue protection papers as well as DTF films.

The company’s addition to its dye sublimation paper range is its 29gsm and 42gsm printable paper for sublimation. Also included in the range are solvent, eco solvent, Latex and UV printable substrates such as vinyls, poster papers, canvases, photo papers and backlight films.

The company’s director, Dylan Gordon, said, ‘Our 29gsm and 42gsm dye sublimation papers are coated sublimation papers tailored for high speed and volume based digital transfer printing. These ultra-light grammages are introduced specifically to enable reduced ink consumption, allowing higher productivity, faster drying times and reduced costs. Our products have an excellent ink carrying capacity with bright, vivid colours that are uncompromised.’

‘Whether you are producing promotional material, personalised apparel, or striking visual displays, our paper delivers consistent results that meet your demands. Our dye sublimation papers are the go-to choice for professionals in the industry.’

Visitors can also learn more about the company’s 80 micron hot peel DTF film, which features vibrant colour transfer, exceptional durability and effortless application. It is available in 600 x 100m, or 1200 x 100m rolls.

Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign. The event is taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

STUART & MARKS (PTY) LTD
+27 11 807 6301
dgordon@sandm.co.za
www.stuartandmarks.co.za

Experience the latest trends in textile, apparel and DTF printing, as well as solutions in sportswear at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity. The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026.

The event is a platform for visitors to get their fingers on the pulse of this vibrant, ever-evolving industry. It will assist with your digital technology investments and allow you to research product diversification as well as new ideas for next-level business growth and profitability.

Visitors can also see opportunities in:

– Wide format, digital printing and digital packaging technology.
– Signage and sign systems.
– Digital signage and LED displays.
– Vehicle wrapping and paint protection films.
– Screen and pad printing.
– Laser cutting, CNC and engraving.
– Vinyls, media and substrates.
– Colour management and RIP software.
– AI Design and workflow automation.
– 3D printing and 3D milling.
– Laminating and print finishing.
– Wayfinding, banners and display systems.
– Promotional products and branding.

Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign. The event is taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

I want to exhibit.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.fespaafrica.com

Experience the latest vehicle wrapping and paint protection films at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity. The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026.

The event is a platform for visitors to get their fingers on the pulse of this vibrant, ever-evolving industry. It will assist with your digital technology investments and allow you to research product diversification as well as new ideas for next-level business growth and profitability.

Visitors can also see opportunities in:

– Wide format, digital printing and digital packaging technology.
– Signage and sign systems.
– Digital signage and LED displays.
– Textile, apparel and DTF printing.
– Screen and pad printing.
– Laser cutting, CNC and engraving.
– Vinyls, media and substrates.
– Colour management and RIP software.
– AI design and workflow automation.
– 3D printing and 3D milling.
– Laminating and print finishing.
– Wayfinding, banners and display systems.
– Promotional products and branding.
– Sportswear.

Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign. The event is taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

I want to exhibit.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.fespaafrica.com

The FESPA Africa And Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity, is taking place from 8-10 September 2026. Experience trends in signage and sign systems, digital signage and LED displays, wayfinding, banners and display systems.

Visitors can also see opportunities in:

– Vehicle wrapping and paint protection films.
– Textile, apparel and DTF printing.
– Screen and pad printing.
– Laser cutting, CNC and engraving.
– Vinyls, media and substrates.
– Colour management and RIP software.
– AI Design and workflow automation.
– 3D printing and 3D milling.
– Laminating and print finishing.
– Promotional products and branding.
– Sportswear.
– Print and cut (labels).
– Digital packaging.

Please register online for free attendance to the FESPA Africa And Sign Africa Expo, co-located with Africa Print, Modern Marketing and Graphics, Print and Sign. The event is taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

I want to exhibit.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.fespaafrica.com

The FESPA Foundation has requested the donation of toilet paper to provide for the many schools that they support. Practical Publishing recently assisted the Foundation with a large donation for Madisei Primary School in Limpopo for Mandela Day, held on 18 July.

Toilet paper is a scarce resource in schools across South Africa and the Foundation is inviting volunteers from the printing industry to participate in intitiavites such as this to help improve educational environments and create better opportunities for young people.

Get Involved

You can make a real difference by supporting the valuable work of the FESPA Foundation. Participating in the initiative offers more than an opportunity to give back. It allows you and your team to:

– Help improve educational opportunities for children.
– Take part in meaningful team-building experiences.
– Support a project that delivers long-term community benefits.

Please send an email if you can assist to ntombi.thobela@fespa.com

FESPA FOUNDATION
https://fespafoundation.org/about/

Since its founding, the FESPA Foundation has focused on using the power of print to create positive, long-term impact. At this year’s FESPA tradeshow, Summa formally joined the Foundation, the charity of the global print and sign industry association. This new partnership underscores the shared commitment of Summa and FESPA to sustainability, education and community development within and beyond the print industry.

The FESPA Foundation’s work centres on three objectives: promoting more sustainable practices within the print industry, inspiring and educating through access to learning resources, and empowering underserved communities by supporting schools worldwide.

With the adoption of Batau Primary School, Summa becomes a key industry partner supporting the Foundation’s mission. The school, located in Limpopo, will benefit from targeted improvements that strengthen the learning environment for its students and teachers.

‘Giving everyone a chance, regardless of where they come from or who they are, is something deeply rooted in Summa’s values and management philosophy,’ said Summa CEO Stijn Henderickx. ‘We believe in the opportunity to foster a more inclusive society, in particular for the youth of today, both through mentoring and charitable projects. Joining the FESPA Foundation is an excellent way to create opportunities for underserved communities and we couldn’t be happier to participate in this project together with our reference shareholder Apheon and the whole Summa team.’

Sara Horlock, Group Partnership Manager at FESPA, commented, ‘Thanks to the support from Summa, who is once again showing leadership in our industry, and Apheon, we can move forward with the development of Batau Primary School, the next school supported through the FESPA Foundation. Their contribution directly supports our educational and community initiatives and helps us create meaningful, long-term impact. We are particularly encouraged by the shared belief that our industry can play a positive role in driving change.’

Summa has already been actively supporting FESPA’s Print for Good campaign in the past as part of its engagement to sustainable growth and is delighted to take this next step in creating lasting social impact.

For Apheon and Summa, joining the FESPA Foundation is a natural extension of their shared values. Apheon has been chosen year after year as a leader in sustainable private equity, just recently being recognised as ‘Diversity and Inclusion Leader of the Year’ at the 2026 Real Deals Private Equity Awards.

‘Sustainability isn’t a hollow catchphrase at Apheon, it’s part of our identity and what sets us apart,’ said Patrick Gavoty, Head of Sustainability at Apheon. ‘Helping young people from underserved backgrounds receive access to opportunities is a central commitment to Apheon, because we believe that businesses who respect the planet, look after their employees and support their communities in turn benefit from their actions in the long term. Supporting the FESPA Foundation thus became an obvious choice, and we look forward to seeing the first tangible outcomes of the Batau project.’

The partnership between Summa and the FESPA Foundation was officially signed at FESPA Barcelona in the presence of Michael Ryan, Apheon partner Pieter Lambrecht, and Summa CEO Stijn Henderickx.

SUMMA
https://www.summa.com/en-int

FUJIFILM SOUTH AFRICA – SUMMA DISTRIBUTOR
+27 11 430 5400
https://www.fujifilmgraphicsystems.co.za/

FESPA FOUNDATION
https://www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/

The expansion into new print-related vertical markets reinforced the organisation’s FESPA Future strategy to Connect, Inspire and Support increasingly diverse global business communities. FESPA 2026 comprising FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest, Corrugated and Textile welcomed visitors from the speciality print, signage, packaging, personalisation, wrapping and textile sectors to the Fira de Barcelona.

The event was the first flagship exhibition in Southern Europe since 2012 and, with six co-located events and three conference programmes under one roof, it was its most varied and multi-faceted to date.

The co-located event portfolio also broadened FESPA’s reach and audience, strengthening its position as a leading platform for innovation, knowledge exchange and business growth across the speciality print industry and beyond.

FESPA 2026 welcomed visitors from 126 countries with the largest audiences coming from Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium and Switzerland (in descending order). This reinforces the value of FESPA’s peripatetic pattern, making the 2026 event easily accessible to southern European printers and supporting exhibitors to make connections with new prospective buyers.

FESPA 2026 achieved a total visitor attendance of 24,798, making it one of the most successful editions of the global event to date. 15,495 unique visitors attended the show, a 10% year-on-year increase on the 2025 event.

85% of visitors were senior decision makers, with 77% directors, CEOs, owners or managers. The collective median visitor budget was €3.5 billion, a 20.68% increase on 2025, signalling strong propensity to invest.

Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo, commented, ‘By bringing together six clearly defined events, our aim was to give FESPA visitors a richer mix of opportunities to learn, be inspired and explore adjacent market sectors and applications. The patterns we’ve seen in event registration, usage of the FESPA app and conference attendance made it clear that most visitors have several overlapping areas of interest, so this approach serves their needs perfectly.’

‘For example, they might come to the show primarily for FESPA Global Print Expo and also engage with European Sign Expo, Textile and our FESPA Conference programme. This highlights the exceptional value of a comprehensive global event with multiple exhibition and content strands; it gives decision-makers access to a vast spectrum of specialist expertise to validate their current direction while also investigating new growth opportunities, all in one place.’

FESPA Global Print Expo’s returning co-located events, European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience, further enhanced the visitor offering. European Sign Expo showcased the latest innovations, products and solutions for the signage and visual communications sectors, while Personalisation Experience provided a dedicated platform for industry professionals to explore the commercial potential of customisation and discover new opportunities for personalised print applications.

This year, FESPA also launched two new co-located events, Corrugated and Textile, and it included WrapFest in the flagship event portfolio for the first time.

Corrugated brought together manufacturers of corrugated packaging and display solutions, as well as leading suppliers of machinery, print technology, software, materials and automation systems to create a hub for innovation and collaboration across the sector.

Textile offered a focused environment for professionals in printed textile applications across fashion, apparel, sportswear and interior décor. Visitors were able to explore emerging trends, discover new technologies and applications, and exchange knowledge with industry experts.

WrapFest 2026 showcased the full spectrum of vehicle and surface wrapping solutions, including self-adhesive films, software, design tools and accessories. Complementing the exhibition, the event delivered a programme of live demonstrations, practical workshops, technical advice and skills development opportunities, providing valuable hands-on learning for wrap professionals.

Visitors also had the opportunity to attend three conference programmes at the event: The FESPA Conference; The Corrugated Conference and WrapTalks.

Each programme delivered valuable industry insights, expert-led sessions and panel discussions, and practical takeaways. Together, the three programmes covered key topics relating to: print, signage, packaging, wrapping, textile decoration and personalisation.

FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and Textile will return to Messe Munich, Germany from 6–9 April 2027. FESPA Africa, which is co-located with Sign Africa, Africa Print, Graphics, Print & Sign and Modern Marketing, will be held from 8-10 September at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

FESPA
https://www.fespa.com/