Former FESPA President, Derek Down sadly passes away

It is with deep sadness that I have to announce that one of Fespa’s greatest stalwarts, Derek Down, has died of a coronavirus related illness at the age of 92, on Wednesday 18th June 2020.
Derek will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and all at Fespa wish to pass on their condolences to his family.
Derek was an “English Gentleman” he worked for Fespa from the mid-1980s until December 2002, in the early years he became Fespa President and then General Secretary until he retired. He made an outstanding contribution to Fespa throughout his many years serving the Associations and was one of the instigators in expanding Fespa’s influence throughout Europe; in particular Fespa exhibitions which became the number one exhibition for Screen and Digital printing.
A private funeral will be held for the immediate family and a wider opportunity to celebrate Derek’s life will be organised at a future date.
Topics
Interested in joining our community?
Enquire today about joining your local FESPA Association or FESPA Direct
Recent news

The importance of ink for large format printers
Ink is crucial for large format inkjet printers, influencing substrate compatibility, productivity, and cost. Nessan Cleary discusses the three main types which include UV-curable ink, latex ink and eco-solvent ink. Each ink type has specific strengths and weaknesses, making printers choice dependent on budget and intended applications.

What are the benefits of Direct-To-Fabric printing?
Direct-to-fabric printing is gaining popularity for high-volume textile production, enabling on-demand, customized short runs. These printers offer ink flexibility, accommodating various fabric types like cotton and silk, though ink development focuses on faster turnaround by reducing pre- and post-processing. Compared to traditional methods, direct-to-fabric inkjet printing is a more sustainable option due to reduced water and chemical usage, and localized production.

What are the opportunities for large format providers regarding digital touch screens?
Digital touchscreens are becoming increasingly common, offering businesses opportunities to improve customer engagement and streamline operations. Nessan Cleary shares, while more expensive to implement than standard digital displays due to complex software and integration needs, touchscreens provide self-service options, multilingual support, and can reduce staffing costs in various settings like retail, transportation, and healthcare.