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PSI – The International Network of the Promotional Products Industry
PSI 2018 – The Leading European Trade Show of the Promotional Products Industry

9 to 11 January 2018, Exhibition Centre Düsseldorf

6 December 2017

Expanded: PSI 2018 to offer even bigger promotional products programme

A logo, a slogan, a picture: only finishing turns textiles into promotional textiles. Reason enough for giving finishing processes a leading part in PSI’s 2018 programme. The Leading European Trade Show of the Promotional Products Industry will feature an expanded textiles selection to showcase the vast array of options in that area and to give the promotional products industry a heads up on emerging trends in shirts, caps and scarves. From 9 to 11 January 2018, more than 200 exhibitors will offer promotional textiles and related products in the halls of the Exhibition Centre in Düsseldorf. Completing the offerings for visitors will be an extensive supporting programme and new special areas.

Concentrated know-how in Hall 10

The centrepiece of the PSI Show’s textile selection will be the Textile Area in Hall 10. Exhibitors such as TRIUSO, ApparelScout, Wille, Aglika Trade, Printfield, Dogibear Promotions, ABER Textil+Design and Sport Böckmann will showcase their assortments there. Visitors interested in getting some initial guidance regarding the textile selection at the promotional products show can use the fold-out hall map, the trade show catalogue and the website to embark on the Textile Discovery Tour, which will be offered for the first time. It will lead them to various exhibitors and to the most important programme highlights for a comprehensive overview.

Besides current industry highlights, future trends – several of which are stimulating the market at the same time right now – will also play a key role at the exhibition stands. “Fortunately, we’re seeing increasing demand for fairly produced and traded products”, says textiles expert Stefan Roller-Aßfalg, director of the Academy for Textile Finishing, a partner of the PSI textile programme. “A rethinking of sustainability is taking place, accompanied by a very strong trend towards higher-quality products.” He also sees growing demand for products produced in Germany and Europe, as well as increasing automation of processes, from purchasing and finishing to logistics.

Premiere: Finishing Factory for promotional textiles

Finishing will play a particularly significant role at PSI in 2018. For three days, visitors can stop at five stations, hosted with the support of 15 industry partners, to get comprehensive information on the topic. Featuring live demonstrations, the new Best Practice Islands – also located in Hall 10 – will serve to explain how motifs and writing end up on textiles. On the Screen Printing Island, for example, Maprom and Hebbecker will demonstrate the individual steps of this particular finishing process. ZSK Stickmaschinen, Melco International, Madeira Stickgarne and Männel Textile Kennzeichnungen will be on the Embroidery Best Practice Island to show how an embroidery machine works, what roles are played by yarns and software, and how individual motifs are added to textile products. Cameo Laser and Trotec will be on hand as points of contact at the Laser Marking station, demonstrating the various steps of the laser process and the advantages delivered by this finishing option compared to classic methods.

Questions revolving around Transfer Printing will be answered on the fourth Best Practice Island by Mimaki Deutschland, SEF France, IVM SignTex, Poli-Tape Klebefolien and Lotus Transfer Press Solutions. Specifically, they’ll show how the processing of flocking and flex materials works and explain the use of plotters and print & cut technologies as well as sublimation processes for photorealistic print motifs. Thanks to Digital Printing, even individual items and small print runs can be produced now. At the fifth Best Practice Island, Kornit Europe will bring visitors up to speed on modern ink jet printers and, together with Promidata, show them how digital printing enables mass customization.

New: Walk of Cotton

Not a tree but a shrub is what supplies cotton, the versatile material used in so many ways in the textile industry. PSI 2018 visitors can go on the new Walk of Cotton in Hall 10, Stand D58, to learn how it’s manufactured, what qualities it offers and what its production journey looks like from seedling to finished T-shirt. Arranged as a cotton learning path that invites visitors to touch and understand exhibits, it elucidates all sorts of details concerning the natural fibre. Next to facts and figures on global cotton production, the area will feature an overview of products and applications, plus detailed information on cultivation, harvesting and processing. In addition, lectures and workshops hosted by experts at the Best Practice Forum – right in the area of the Walk of Cotton – will illuminate the entire cotton supply chain. Topics highlighted here will include agricultural cultivation methods and environmental protection, aspects of socially responsible behaviour and fair working conditions, and fair pay. Speakers will include Matthias Schlatmann from the Bremen Cotton Exchange, Lina Pfeifer from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Birgit Jussen from Quality Matters and Heike Hess from the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry.

Skilfully staged

The PSI Catwalk delivers pure action. Unlike a conventional catwalk, this stage isn’t about elegantly putting one foot in front of the other but about dancing, singing and top-notch choreographic performances – a programme highlight that captures the imagination of throngs of visitors each and every year. Don’t miss this gem. Four times a day, professional models will take to the runway of the promotional products industry to present fashion highlights and accessories from such textiles exhibitors as Gustav Daiber, Club Crawatte, Matterhorn, Araco International, Falk & Ross, Lynka, Tee Jays, Karlowsky Fashion, Halfar System, FARE, Fifty Five and PF Concept.

Find the perfect contact with the online matchmaking tool

Proper planning and preparation make a trade show visit even more efficient: anyone planning on visiting the show can use the matchmaking tool to find the right discussion partner for upcoming projects before the event even starts. All that’s required to take advantage of the tool is an easy-to-create profile. Users will receive individual contact suggestions as soon as its activated. If both sides are interested, nothing else will stand in the way of a meeting at the trade show. For additional details, go to: www.psi-messe.com/matchmaking.

About PSI

At PSI, the Leading European Trade Show of the Promotional Products Industry, promotional products professionals gain an overview of the trends and innovations of the industry. In addition, special exhibits and show areas are dedicated to an in-depth look at promotional labelling, printing and finishing technologies, inventions and innovations, and much more. At PSI 2017, 988 exhibitors from 37 countries presented their companies to 18,094 visitors. PSI 2018 will take place in Düsseldorf from Tuesday, 9 January, to Thursday, 11 January.

www.psi-messe.com