FESPA Africa and Sign Africa expo organisers Practical Publishing have announced an exciting 2025 calendar, with events to be hosted in Polokwane, Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Visitors to the 2025 FESPA Africa and Sign Africa events can embrace the future by seeing the latest opportunities in wide format digital printing, vehicle wrapping, textile printing, signage, laser engraving, display, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, garment printing, screen and pad printing, and other cutting edge technology.

A major theme of the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expos will be live on-stand demonstrations, showcasing the future of print, conducted by product experts from all the leading brands and companies. They will also advise visitors on the latest and most relevant products to help streamline and grow your business.

The 2025 Expo Dates:

– Polokwane: Wednesday, 12 February 2025, Meropa Casino
– Durban: Wednesday and Thursday, 5-6 March 2025, Durban ICC
– Africa Wrap, Tuesday and Wednesday, 15-16 April, Focus Rooms
– Cape Town: Wednesday and Thursday, 14-15 May 2025, CTICC
– Johannesburg: NEW EXPO DAYS Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9-11 September 2025, Gallagher Convention Centre

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
dyelan@practicalmedia.co.za
www.fespaafrica.com

The FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, held last week at Gallagher Convention Centre, attracted 5274 visitors from 38 countries. The event was sponsored by Platinum sponsors Roland DG South Africa and Stixo Signage Supplies.

The top countries with visitors outside of South Africa included: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Congo, Ghana. Visitors could see new products and business opportunities in the world of wide format digital printing, vehicle wrapping, textile printing, signage, laser engraving, display, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, garment printing, screen and pad printing and other cutting edge technology.

Exhibitors had positive feedback about the event:

‘It was a really good event. Decision makers and technically-savvy people came through, and it was a really refreshing show,’ said Gary Stockenstroom, Canon South Africa.

‘Overall it was a really good show. We had lots of traffic over the three days. We saw lots of customers from across the border, such as Namibia, Zambia and Botswana. It was great meeting some of our clients who are using our products, and getting to engage with them. It was great to see the same faces that we see every year and to connect with everyone. The launch of the new ‘Girls Who Print’ was also one of the highlights. We had a fun stand and we had lots of fun with customers. I think we’ll definitely be back next year supporting our distributors,’ said Illisna O’Reilly, NUtec Digital Ink.

‘It was a great show and the foot count was amazing. The leads were also of great quality. Members that we interacted with during the show told us that they’re feeling optimistic about what the future holds. We’re very happy and we met with FESPA and we’re going to continue to do big things with FESPA. The show is a great platform for the industry,’ said Abisha Katerere, Printing SA.

‘It was great and we had a great turnout. We had the ‘Mini Me’ campaign, which showed workflow automation. And of course we did it in a fun way to try and have an interactive session with customers,’ said John Panton, ColorFlow Solutions.

‘The show was awesome, we had a lot of interest about the machines we had on our stand and it was nice to see colleagues from other companies, but also see what other businesses are doing and the new technologies that are coming out,’ said Kitty Mhlongo, Kemtek.

‘This year’s show was a success. We saw a number of up-and-coming companies that want to learn how to do wrapping and get into the mix. We  also saw a nice mix of existing companies looking for new products to offer their clientele. I hope we educated people about some new techniques and new products in the market. We’re looking forward to coming back next year,’ said Richard Wood, Wrapssys.

‘This was the first time we exhibited – what a wonderful experience. The main objective of exhibiting was to get more leads to grow our company and we did that,’ said Jilly Cupido, Central Crossing.

‘We had a great show, it was very busy. It’s almost as if the sales increase each year. It was 10 out of 10,’ said Nardus Mouton, Gencotech.

‘The show was phenomenal. It was our first show and it was way more than what we expected. It also exposed us to quite a few of the SADC countries – we had a lot of interest from visitors in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We brought some nice, unique and innovative POS items to the market and that piqued visitors’ interest,’ said Garry Babich, Hookei SA.

Judges visited each stand at the expo and judged the stands according to criteria based on design, staff friendliness and professionalism. The results are as follows:

Sign Africa Small Shell Scheme:

Winner: LBY Africa.
Second: ColorFlow Solutions.
Third: Nantong Weiduo Display Equipment Manufacture Co.

Sign Africa Small Custom Stand:

Winner: Haining Jinmao Warp Knitting Co., Ltd.
Second: Lamin8 Films.

Sign Africa Medium Custom Stand:

Winner: ORAFOL South Africa.
Second: Titanjet.
Third: National Screen & Digital Supplies.

Sign Africa Large Shell Scheme:

Winner: Rexx Screen & Digital Supplies.

Sign Africa And FESPA Africa Best Large Custom Stand: 

Winner: iPlastics.
Second: CNC Professional Machines and Engineering and Kolok.
Third: Maizey Plastics.

Sign Africa Best Mega Custom Stand:

Winner: Stixo Signage Supplies.
Second: Roland DG stand and Roland Speedwrap stand.

FESPA Africa Best Mega Custom Stand:

Winner: Mimaki.
Second: Allrich.
Third: Chemosol.

Africa Print Small Custom Stand:

Winner: Central Crossing.
Second: KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa.
Third: XL Solutions and ZK Digimax.

Africa Print Small Shell Scheme:

Winner: Guangzhou Yinghe Electronic Instruments Co., Ltd.

Africa Print Medium Custom Stand:

Winner: Printing SA.
Second: Agfa.

Africa Print Large Custom Stand:

Winner: Canon South Africa.
Second: NUtec Digital Ink.
Third: Fortune Africa.

Africa Print Mega Custom Stand:

Winner: Sign-Tronic.
Second: Kemtek Imaging Systems.
Third: Ghongzheng South Africa.

Modern Marketing Small Shell Scheme:

Winner: Headwear 24/Twentyfour Store.
Third: Vantage Digital.

Modern Marketing Small Custom Stand:

Winner: Gawk.
Second: Edge Signage & Shopfitting Supplies.
Third: Signbox.

Modern Marketing Medium Custom Stand:

Winner: Skyco Media Solutions.
Second: Intexma and Curv Signage.

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

The Roland DG Speedwrap Challenge kicks off at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, being held from 11-13 September 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre, from 9am-5pm.

Entrants can win cash prizes by showing off their wrapping skills. During every round, the top wrapped car door gets cash. Try your hand in either the digital print or pigment rounds. The digital round prize is R1000 while the Pigment round prize is R300.

Top Score Of The Day

Daily prizes (digital):

– R3000 (over 45 points).
– R2000.
– R1000.

Daily prizes (pigment):

– R1500 (over 45 points).
– R750.
– R250.

Final day Boss Wrap Winner: R30, 000.

The overall winner of the Speedwrap will also win an entry to compete at the FESPA WrapFest in 2025 (Ts & Cs apply*).

How To Compete:

Register your interest in competing in the Speedwrap by filling out the form here.

Register to visit the FESPA Africa expo for free online.

Confirm your time slot at the Speedwrap stand. Be present at your time slot and wrap to the best standards.

The Speedwrap Challenge is brought to you by platinum sponsor Roland, vinyl sponsors Red Hot Media (distributors of Fedrigoni) and GrafiWrap (distributed by Maizey Plastics), and expo sponsors FESPA Africa and Sign Africa.

*The prize only includes the entry to the FESPA WrapFest – all travel costs are not included.

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

Vehicle wrapping has its challenges but there are many ways to ensure that the application process goes smoothly.

Tools And Materials

Consider all the available solutions for a better vehicle wrapping experience. Car templates (pre-made designs) are a good way to begin the wrapping process and are a base for the design and installation of the project.

A microfibre cloth will keep the car’s surface clean throughout. Water mist spray enhance slideability for the squeegee and prevents scratches. Knifeless tape ensures safety and eliminates scratches too, while a heat gun ensures precision and eliminates wrinkles (even on the more complex angles of the vehicle).

Wrap Like A Professional

Positioning is critical, always ask if the artwork is where the customer required it to be. In the finishing stages, ensure there are no bubbles or creases. Neatness is key, ensure trimming of the vinyl is done efficiently so you don’t damage the customer’s vehicle. Use your time effectively, and make sure you have a tidy work area.

Consider The Technical Aspects

Weather plays a big role. Hot conditions will cause the material to stretch too far, whereas the cold can prevent stretching and thereby shatter the material. When a job is complete, give it time to fully adhere and cure – allow for up to 24-48 hours. Never apply vinyl while the surface is still wet. Remove mirrors and moulding from cars and trucks before applying vinyl. Installing vinyl wrap around a mirror may take 30 minutes, but it only takes about five minutes to remove it.

At the upcoming Sign Africa and FESPA Africa Expo, being held from 11-13 September 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre, from 9am-5pm, visitors can speak to vehicle wrapping professionals about their world-class tools and materials to create dazzling wraps.

Vehicle wrapping professionals can also win cash prizes by showing off their wrapping skills at the Roland Speedwrap Challenge, taking place at the Sign Africa and FESPA Africa Expo.

Entrance to the event is free, please register online.

I want to exhibit.

SIGN AFRICA AND FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.signafricaexpo.com / www.fespaafrica.com