Editor's note

After the brief resurgence of summer weather here in the UK at the beginning of the month, it seems that thoughts are now turning to winter and, dare I say it, Christmas. Whether you love or loathe the festive season, there's no doubt that it can bring in extremely valuable work for those producing retail displays. The deadlines for many of the big advertising campaigns have already been and gone, but for smaller projects there is plenty to be done. I'll be looking out for the most innovative and eye-catching displays, so if you can give me a hint about what you're working on please do drop me an email.

Morwenna Kearns, editor
www.twitter.com/morwennakearns
morwenna@outputmagazine.com

Communicate with the rest of the Output team

James Matthews-Paul, publisher
www.twitter.com/signanddisplay
james@outputmagazine.com

Nick Smith, editorial assistant
www.twitter.com/digitaldsnthurt
nick@outputmagazine.com

Sophie Matthews-Paul, editorial consultant and Talk Print! expert
www.twitter.com/rockstro
sophie@rockstro.net

Laurel Brunner, Talk Print! expert
www.twitter.com/laurelbrunner
lb@digitaldots.org

Last week, we asked our experts:

Are PSPs really influenced by sales figures?

"The credentials of the company providing production machines is possibly even more important than the technology."
Read and comment

"It should be considered that low numbers of machines shipped aren't necessarily a negative factor."
Read and comment

What do you look for when buying new kit? The sales figures of the supplier, a well-known brand – or gut instinct? Get in touch and let's Talk Print!

Comment directly on Output
Tweet using #talkprint
Email the editor

Sign-making

Signs Express discusses spelling in sign-making
Top Story Tony Mills from Signs Express has taken part in a BBC discussion about spelling and grammar mistakes in signs.

William Smith sign adds to office refurbishment

W&Co looks to light up the Christmas season

Spandex to 'add more value' with 2011 open house

Fastsigns offers advice on exhibition graphics

Wide-format Print

Automating and optimising production with PrintFactory GMG Edition
Feature The subject of workflow in the wide-format sector is becoming more and more topical as users strive to match colour and enable truly effective pre-flighting. Sophie Matthews-Paul looks at PrintFactory GMG Edition.

Newad to integrate NFC into advertising network

BAF Graphics helps create 'fun place to study' in Liverpool

HP co-operative Dscoop launches in EMEA

FESPA hopes to stimulate debate with summit

Digital Signage

The growing popularity of DOOH for cause-related marketing
Feature Tony Hymes looks at how charities and good causes can benefit from space on digital signage networks.

Yeahpoint's digital mirror in search for new top model

Digiadvans helps festival-goers get home with TomTom ad

Planar enters new market with new low-cost LCD displays

Digital screens give commuters TV viewing tips

On the calendar

Do you want to have Output's comprehensive, always up-to-date calendar of industry events directly on your own electronic calendar or smartphone? Now you can.

Right-click on the link below and 'copy link address'. You can then paste this link into Outlook, Google Calendar and other popular calendar programmes so you can plan your diary, without having to do the hard work of putting it all together.

You can read our full list of industry events on Output, but here's what's coming up shortly:

HP's European Latex Applications Tour: August 29th – December 2nd 2011
Gitex Technology Week: October 9th – 13th 2011
Screen presents Widescreen 2011: October 11th – 13th 2011
Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (Titas): October 12th – 14th 2011
Avery Dennison Graphics Workshops: October 13th – 14th 2011; October 20th; October 28th; November 9th; November 17th – 18th 2011
Viscom Düsseldorf: October 13th – 15th 2011
Robert Horne Wide-Format Open Days: October 19th – 20th 2011
SGIA Expo: October 19th – 21st 2011
William Smith's Open for Business: October 20th 2011
BAPC Conference 2011: October 20th – 21st 2011

Show update: Viscom Düsseldorf 2011

So the week of Viscom Düsseldorf has finally arrived, and with it a stack of last-minute organisation here at Output before we get on the plane. One thing we're really looking forward to is the awards ceremony and displays of nominated projects – the subject of Morwenna Kearns's new blog. If you've been shortlisted please do get in touch as we'd love to learn more about your work.

Video of the week

Before taking over the reins of digital signage software manufacturer Scala on November 1st, current vice-president Tom Nix finds time to tell us about market challenges in this exclusive Output video. He covers how to promote digital signage to people unfamiliar with the technology and how the International Scala Conference 2011 brought Scala's partner companies together in this informative and intelligent film.

Output has a whole archive of our exclusive videos, plus a collection of clips and films we've brought together from around the web, at our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/OutputMagazine.