FLAAR offers professional consulting services on giclee, UV-cured flatbed and roll-to-roll printers for a variety of business and industries in the professional printing markets as well as on digital photography, scanning, giclee and printing for interior decoration.

FLAAR offers a variety of consulting services for the inkjet printing, scanning, and digital photography industry. FLAAR is increasingly sought after by investment analysts. One investment analyst said clearly that the FLAAR data is valuable for documentation of sales potential, which directions the markets are going, and most of all the true pros and cons of a product and a company, "all we otherwise ever hear is management's rosy picture.”

FLAAR consultant Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth can conduct his consultation services on-location anywhere around the globe. He has consulted in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Latin America (especially Brazil), Europe, Turkey, Greece, and across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Hellmuth was educated at Harvard, trained at Yale, and received his Ph.D. from Karl-Franzens Universität (Graz, Austria). We are also available for consulting for museums, museum exhibits, and field research programs since we have also spent many decades doing field projects in remote areas of Central America.

Dr. Hellmuth/FLAAR consult on UV-cured flatbed and UV-curable roll-to-roll applications, RIP software, inkjet printers in general, inks (all kinds: UV, textile, innovative new inks), media, liquid lamination, liquid coaters, and components. We also provide knowledge on market research. Several printer companies have come to us to ask assistance in acquisitions (either them acquiring another company, or preparing themselves to be acquired).

FLAAR Professional consulting services
Free Download

In addition, he is knowledgeable in giclee, fine art photography, solvent, eco-solvent, mild-solvent, bio-solvent, latex ink, as well as in scanning and high end digital photography. We also assist relative to wide-format inkjet printing on textiles.

For training in color management and ICC color profiles we work together with experienced color consultants who can provide hands-on training. Two of our color management partners are multi-lingual. Dr Hellmuth is tri-lingual (German, English, Spanish) and he can understand Italian, basic Portuguese and basic French.

Dr. Hellmuth's consulting services are valuable for universities, museums, government agencies, manufacturers, distributors, dealers of any size, as well as print shop owners, operators, and individuals.

The difference between reading the FLAAR reports and web site, compared to retaining Dr. Hellmuth for an on-site visit, is that he can provide fresh information not yet published in the written reports, or posted on the web site. Therefore, an on-site consultation with Dr. Hellmuth is invaluable to keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in professional printing.

Nicholas Hellmuth
Testing an advanced digital camera in Slovenia. FLAAR evaluates medium format, large format, and 35mm SLR digital cameras. We are gradually moving into evaluating 3D scanners and 3D rendering software and associated technology.

Listed below are a few of the topics our consultation services cover. This list is not exhaustive and is only meant to highlight the consulting services FLAAR has to offer. A brief list of services includes:

  • Discussing which printer(s) are optimal for your business, franchise sign shop, museum, studio, university or company's specific needs;
  • Explaining of the pros and cons of piezo vs. industrial piezo vs. thermal vs. continuous inkjet technologies for your specific printing needs;
  • Discussing which inks and media work in which printers (and which inks and media will not function in popular printers);
  • Explaining inks, colorants, media, paper, substrates in a non-technical, easy to understand manner;
  • Providing a follow-up list of key contacts within the industry, pertinent individuals in ink chemistry, media/substrates, printer technology, business-plans and strategy;
  • Discussing digital image storage options, digital asset management software, computer platforms (Macintosh vs. PC);
  • Discussing color management options, training, follow-up, software, color measurement tools;
  • Teaching techniques for printing on ceramic tiles, wood, leather and metal foil (even onto solid metal);
  • Understanding how to print art onto silk, cotton, and onto other fabrics with a wide format inkjet printer;
  • Providing analysis of market potential for the market(s) your company is seeking to enter.
  • Market analysis, who are the competitive players (strengths and weaknesses both of products and company per se).
  • Trends: what is new and happening behind the scenes:
    • What about MemJet? Is MEMS printhead technology realistic, or not?
    • What about solvent-UV? Is this the start of a new TREND?
    • What about "latex ink"? What is coming later in 2012?

Market Analysis, Marketing Survey Data, etc.

FLAAR also offers market survey information and product analysis for ink, media, hardware, and software manufacturers. FLAAR's market information can help your business focus on the features end-users are most happy with or would like to see improved.

Almost every month investment analysts are coming to ask for information from FLAAR. This suggests that the data and knowledge that we possess is not readily available elsewhere. Seemingly our reputation for blunt pros and cons is becoming better known.

Consulting on large format printer reality in China, Korea, and Taiwan

Are you a Chinese manufacturer wishing to enter markets in Europe, the US, or Latin America?

Are you a manufacturer in the US, Europe, or Asia who seeks a trustworthy OEM manufacturing partner in China?

Are you a printshop owner, manager, or investory seeking to learn the pros and cons of Chinese, Korean, or Taiwanese printers?

Dr Nicholas Hellmuth can assist your company relative to China, Korea, and Taiwan. FLAAR is a good research partner because Dr Hellmuth has first-hand experience inside the Chinese, Korean, and Taiwan factories and demo rooms.

Distributors

Are you unsure which brand or model of printer to distribute in your country?

We can provide you the knowledge so you can decide which printer to distribute or resell in your country.

If you are a manufacturer, we can assist you to judge which distributor in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, Balkan area, North America, or Latin America might be willing to distribute your product.

Please go to our new www.FLAAR-Reports.org for more information on services for distributors.

Expert Witness

We prefer to do the research aspects leading up to an Expert Witness, since an actual court case appearance is difficult due to our busy schedule. So far, of the lawsuits that have been shown to us, half were inappropriate. So we may be able to save your stress simply as a consultant in advance of the actual case going to trial.

Patent litagation

FLAAR is a good place to start for background information if you are beginning a patent dispute, or if you are already in the middle of a patent dispute.

Contact Info

If you wish to hire Professor Hellmuth as a consultant to come to your company, please contact ReaderService@FLAAR.org. If no answer, telephone 419 823-9218 (Vonage/VoIP service). But this is NOT a telephone number for access to general FLAAR information whatsoever. No information is provided by phone other than to companies and individuals who wish to consider sign professional consulting at standard industry rates; we ask that all other contact be via e-mail please.

These contact routes are not intended for:

  • Circumventing the inquiry survey form; or
  • Submitting miscellaneous questions before a professional consulting relationship is established

This contact route is only for opening up a professional consulting appointment with Dr. Hellmuth coming to your company or to arrange a conference call. We can sign an NDA or your preferred Confidentiality Agreement if necessary, though that just adds a layer of additional paperwork.

FLAAR serves as consultant for Fortune 500 companies as well as companies who wish to reach that level. Because about 100,000 people every month read the FLAAR reports on our dozen web sites it is not possible to respond to telephone inquiries or e-mail inquiries unless to establish a professional relationship on a fee basis.

If you are an individual, a small business, as well as a large company, we reply to the Inquiry-Survey Form usually within 48 hours, so submitting the form via e-mail is the best way to contact us. There is no cost for the e-mail service. We are not able to respond to random e-mails or random telephone messages unless you seek professional consulting service.

Please understand that due to the size of the readership it is not realistic to handle inquiries by telephone unless we have a working relationship with your company initiated by your email followed by a day of consulting at your place or at FLAAR's home facility.

We accept inquiries in Español, Deutsch, English, French, Portuguese, and Italian.

preview UV printers
preview UV printers preview UV printers Consulting services FLAAR

Consulting for UV printer manufacturers, available to manufacturers only: ink, media, substrate, scanner, RIP software, printer manufacturers, integrators, parts manufacturers, please request this by e-mail from: ReaderService@FLAAR.org

Consulting for giclee, decor, fine art photography and scanning.

(FREE Download)

For all wide-format inkjet printers, RIP, Ink & Substrates.

(FREE Download)

To obtain this PDF on consulting services for financial analysts and business strategy consultants, please request this by e-mail from:

ReaderService@FLAAR.org

FLAAR Schedule for 2016

Schedule for 2010-2016

2016

January 2016 Jan. 10 - 12 : SGI 2016 (Dubai)
February 2016 Feb. 18 - 20 : GoA 2016 (Miami)
March 2016 Mar. 08 - 11: FESPA (Amsterdam)
Mar. 09 - 12: APPPEXPO (Shanghai)
April 2016 Apr. 20 - 23: ISA (Orlando)
July 2016 Jul. 24 - 28: SIGGRAPH (California)
August 2016 Aug. 18 - 20: FESPA (Mexico)
September 2016 Sep. 07 - 09: Africa Print/FESPA Africa (SA)
Sep. : Sign Istanbul (Turkey)
Sep. 20 - 23: Glasstec (Duesseldorf)
Sep. 20 - 25: Photokina (Cologne)
Sep. 26 - 30: Tecnargilla (Rimini, Italy)
October 2016 Oct. 21-25: ITMA Asia + CITME (Shanghai)
2016 FESPA Eurasia (Turkey)

2015

January 2015 Jan. 11 - 13 : SGI (Dubai)
February 2015 Feb. 26 - 28 : GOA (Miami).
March 2015 Mar. 6 - 9: D-PES (Guangzhou)
Mar. 11 - 14 : APPPEXPO (Shanghai)
April 2015 Apr. 9 - 11: ISA International Sign Expo (Las Vegas)
May 2015 May. 18 - 22 : Fespa (Köln)
June 2015 Jun. 1 - 4: Ceramics China (Guangzhou).
Jun. 15 - 18 : ShanghaiTEX
July 2015 Jul. 22 - 24 : AFRICA Print/FESPA Africa, Johannesburg
September 2015 Sep. 10 - 13 : Sign Istanbul (Turkey)
November 2015 Nov. 4 - 6: SGIA (Atlanta)
Nov. 12 - 19 : ITMA Europe (Milan)

2014

January 2014 Jan. 7-9 : Dubai (SGI)
February 2014 Feb. 21 - 24: D-PES (Guangzhou)
Feb. 23-26 : SignChina (Guangzhou)
March 2014 Mar. 27 - 1: GOA (Orlando)
April 2014 Mar. 31 - Apr. 3: Ceramics China (Guangzhou)
May 2014 May. 24 - 26: ISA (Orlando)
May. 20- 23: FESPA (Munich)
June 2014 Jun. 17 - 20: IDPEX (Iran)
July 2014 Jul. 3 - 6: APPPEXPO (Shanghai)
August 2014 Aug 21-23: Sign Africa (SA)
September 2014 Sep 11-14 : Sign Istambul (Turkey) Sep 16-21 : Photokina (Cologne)
October 2014 Sep 28 - Oct 1 : PRINT (GraphExpo) Chicago Oct 23 - Oct 25 : SGIA (Las Vegas)

2013

January 2013 Jan. 20 - 22: Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East in Dubai
February 2013 Feb. 21 - 23: GoA, Graphics of Americas in Orlando, FL
Feb. 25 - 28: D-PES in Guanzhou, China
March 2013 Mar. 1 - 4: Sign China in Guanzhou, China
April 2013 Apr. 3 - 6: ISA Sign Expo, Las Vegas, NV
May 2013 May. 21 - 25: PacPrint 2013 in Melbourne, Australia
May. 29 - Jun - 1: Ceramics China 2013 in Guanzhou, China
June 2013 Jun. 10 - 13: ShanghaiTex in Shanghai, China
August 2013 Aug 21-23: Sign Africa (SA)
September 2013 Sep 8-12 : PRINT (GraphExpo)
October 2013 Oct 23-25 : SGIA (Orlando)
Nov-Dec 2013 28 Nov- 1 Dic : Sign Istambul (Turkey)

2012

February 2012 Jan. 31 - Feb. 02: Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East in Dubai
Feb. 18-21: D-PES Guanzhou, China
Feb. 20-23: China Sign , Guanzhou
Feb. 21- 24: FESPA Digital in Barcelona, Spain.
March 2012 March 1-3: Graphics of the Americas, Miami
March 22-24: ISA Orlando
April 2012 Apr. 17-19: China Sign Expo (CIEC) in Beijing, China

May 2012

May 3-16: DRUPA in Dusseldorf, Germany
May 22-25: Rapid 3D & Imaging Exposition 2012 in Atlanta, GA

Sept 2012

Sept 18-23: Photokina 2012 in Cologne, Germany
Sept 24-26: Tecnargilla in Rimini, Italy
Sept 27-29: Reklama in Moscow, Russia
Oct 2012 Oct 18-20: SGIA Expo, Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology in Vegas

2011

January 2011 January 24-26: Dubai SGI, Sign and Graphics Imaging, the first major international sign industry event in the world each year. 25th January 2011, Seminar Room, Airport Expo, Dubai, UAE. Lectures by Nicholas.
  • Seminar 1, 11:00 hrs. Green Inkjet Printing (Ink & Media) vs Greenwashing (over-exaggerated claims)
  • Seminar 2, 14:00 hrs. After-Market (wide-format inkjet) Inks: How to Assess and Evaluate
February 2011 February 24 -26: FLAAR at FESPA Americas + Graphics of the Americas (GoA)

Lectures by Nicholas Hellmuth

At GoA:
Feb 24: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM New Technologies in Wide Format Printers
Feb 25: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM Wide Format Opportunities with resin ink Technology

At FESPA
Feb 25: 3:00 - 4:00 Cartón con estructura de nido de abeja: Materiales innovadores y amigables con el medio ambiente
Feb 26: 12:00 - 1:00 Impresión sobre todo tipo de materiales: La impresión decorativa para sobresalir ante su competencia

February 28: Dongguan
March 2011 March 22 - 26: Graphispag Digital Barcelona
March 25 - 27: Art Expo
April 2011 April 28 - 30: ISA Vegas
May 2011 May 4 - 6: Visual Impact Expo, Sydney, Australia, and PrintEx11
May 24- 27 : Fespa Hamburg, Germany, Six of us attended, great expo.
June 2011 June 17: 11:30 AM Lecture Toner at Wide-Format Print Size, How can toner best compete with Wide-Format Inkjet? Santa Monica, C.A. Double Tree Suites by Hilton Hotel Santa Monica, 1707 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA, United States
July 2011 July 6 - 9 : APPPEXPO:Shanghai, China. Four of us from FLAAR will attend, including our specialists in textile printers, inks, media, coaters and laminators
July 18- 22 : Arqueology Congress, Guatemala
July 20- 23 : Serigrafia Sign, Sao Paulo, Brazil
August 2011 August 16 - 20: Fespa Mexico, we gave not yet decided if we will attend this expo.

2010

November 2010 November 12 -14: FESPA Asia Pacific – Bangkok, Thailand.
November 19: FESPA Brussels Belgium. Lectures on Green inks and Latest Digital Technologies by Nicholas Hellmuth.
  • 10:20 AM-10:50 AM New technology – Digital Printing
  • 11:40 AM-12:10 PM New technology – Sustainable Inks
  • 12:10 PM-12:40 PM Panel Session: Innovation, Exploring the drivers for innovation (is it technology; customers; printers; or all of these and more)
  • 3:30 PM- 4:00 PM Panel Debate: Developing powerful print, Where print meets marketing (innovative use creates a strong message and provides added value to your customers)
November 25-28: Sign Istanbul .
November 29-30: SIM in Abu Dhabi. Nicholas will be one of the speakers at this sign expo:
  • Monday 29, Major Lecture Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
  • Tuesday 30, Lecture Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
December 2010 December 7: Costa Rica conference on cultural heritage (Dr Hellmuth will be a speaker).

 

 

Most recently updated February 27, 2012.
Previous updates: November 2011, October 2011, November 15, 2010. August 26, 2009, June 30, 2009, January 23, 2009, October 2008, April 23, 2007, Jan. 6, 2004, Feb. 18, 2003, Oct. 26, 2002, Apr. 16, 2002.