ALTHOUGH RETAILERS are tightening their belts, it is still in their interests to entice customers to spend what spare money they have: which is good news for the point of sale (POS) market.

To people outside the printing industry, digital print is usually associated with toner-based systems such as Xerox. However, inkjet technology has had an equally large impact on the way printed materials are produced. Early commercial inkjet pioneers, such as Sun Chemical, realised digital's potential to offer higher speed, lower costs and greater flexibility than traditional printing methods and although early inkjet industrial applications included printing of number codes and markings, it didn't truly take off for graphic applications until the introduction of piezo print head technology in the 1990s.

One of the most talked about companies in the digital flatbed market is Inca Digital, a company that has led the way with machines such as the Eagle, Columbia and Spyder. The introduction of their latest machine last year, the Inca Onset, proves that once again Inca know what they are doing when it comes to new technology.

A few minutes spent on any motorway or suburban road now guarantees that you will see giant advertisements attached to trucks or trailers. Not the advertisements you might expect for cars and petrol, but eye catching raunchy adverts for underwear. Adverts for radio stations, train travel, holidays, fashion, health foods, films, record releases, video games and new technology to name just a few.

Big has had its day. From cars, to computers, to mobile phones, the message is that good things really do come in small packages. Being compact is a desirable commodity as technology enables us to produce an ever greater output, with minimal input.

There was a time when point-of-sale materials were only considered for impulse purchases like perfumes, cosmetics and chocolate etc. The cost of personalising this material was prohibitive, so each campaign was rolled out across the country without regional variation.

The large format print market has opened up massive opportunities for printers in terms of increased applications, production and profit. But that isn't all, it has also opened up opportunities for other professions who are using new technology to produce better results and retain business.

It's no surprise we are seeing an increase in new equipment to keep pace with trends. One company at the forefront of developments is Seal Graphics whose new range of products is designed to provide a more efficient way to do business.

There is an increasing number of companies in the market. One of the best known is Robert Horne Sign & Display, offering customers a comprehensive range of digital substrates from a single supplier. Perhaps even more important than the product range itself, the company's staff can provide in-depth advice on the suitability of individual substrates, thus ensuring customers can confidently select the optimum product regarding practical, aesthetic and budgetary considerations.

In the past, the printing industry was one area where waste was deemed acceptable. For example, the ‘industry' would think nothing of printing vast quantities of point-of-sale boards which are changed a week later. This has been seen as progress because now print jobs can be customised, customers can promote products more effectively and more often.

A familiar name which remains synonymous with flatbed printers is Inca, who launched the first flatbed inkjet printer, the Eagle 44, in January 2001. The range evolved rapidly and today includes the top of the range Onset (rated as the world's fastest, fully automated digital UV flatbed printer), high speed Turbo Plus, and larger Columbia Turbo 220. Spyder models include the 150, larger 320 (which includes the low cost Spyder 320-e) a model that prints white, six and eight colour models, plus the  high quality 320Q.

With more people taking the digital route, plus growth of the outdoor advertising market, superwide format digital printers are increasingly becoming a strategic investment. Regional sales manager, Europe North EFI Vutek, Emmanuel Swolfs, said: "We believe the future for superwide format, throughout 2008 and beyond, looks positive for the UK market. Healthy growth is being fuelled by the ever-rapid transition to digital. No longer viewed a risky market, more and more people are entering this mature marketplace, particularly as we see costs per square metre decreasing as a result of dropping ink prices and ever-increasing production speeds.

The large format print (LFP) market is growing, with demand driven by accessibility and availability. From photographers to copy shops the market offers something for everyone. So what changes can we expect over coming months?

There is no doubt that 2007 has been a good year for the digital industry with plenty of new products entering the market and some good, well attended trade shows to showcase these products. Here we look at some of the year’s highlights, in particular the rise of the digital printer in areas where screen previously had the stronghold

For the uninitiated the final print process step is finishing: an obvious but vital element in ensuring jobs meet customers’ requirements. Here we look at laminating, an important finishing step which can make all the difference in achieving perfection by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Exhibitions continue to provide a good way to showcase products but with costs increasing and the environmental argument gathering pace,

more and more companies are opting for a re-usable system to meet their needs by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Preparation is vital for good digital printing results. The key to achieving perfect prints every time is making sure you have the perfect workflow, including colour management. Here we look at its importance and what is available to help, by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Fine art printing or Giclée as it is widely known has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, allowing everyone the opportunity to have their own masterpiece without needing millions for the real thing. Here we explore the role of digital printing by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Wedding photographers will tell you they are always asked to slightly modify the final pictures: touching up grey hairs or removing unfortunate relatives. The fact they can do this is testament to today’s equipment. However, with digital photo printing taking off it isn’t just wedding photographers who are benefiting

by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

With digital printing, as the price per unit continues to fall, one can make favourable comparisons with other printing processes. Here we look at commercial digital in action and explore why it is becoming popular in the mass personalisation market by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Talk about substrates and there’s plenty to choose from. This can make it hard to find the right substrate for the job. However, choice is good because ultimately you can find a perfect fit for your application. Here we review some new substrates to add to your portfolio by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

The wide format graphics market for inkjet inks is incredibly large with the solvent inkjet market currently worth close to US$1bn and the water-based market worth approximately US$2bn.

One of the first flatbed machines to be launched was Inca’s Eagle 44, in January 2001. It has subsequently become a name synonymous with quality, reliability and innovative piezo inkjet solutions for the graphic arts market. The range evolved rapidly with the introduction of the Eagle H and Columbia in 2002.

Launched in 2006, DuPont’s first Cromaprint 22UV rigid/flexible large format digital printer has been installed at Nottingham-based Viva Imaging.

New Year, new technology, isn’t that how the story goes? Well technically yes it is, but in the digital world it would also be fair to say new month, new technology because that’s how fast things change.