The Graphic Arts Industry is changing and evolving!
PRINTING United Expo was designed to bring to the attention of graphic arts industries these opportunities and changes. Whether you’re a commercial printer, sign and display provider, textile, fast-fashion clothing, packaging, or another industry, you might focus on different products and industries. All of these industries are experiencing significant changes, and there is a synergy between them that can create many new business opportunities.
Printing has undergone a major transformation since the 1990s. This was largely due to digital and inkjet technologies. Printing applications can be created by many different printing technologies including digital, analog and inkjet. As well as the changing consumer market, keeping up with these constant changes is a challenge. Despite the fact that many traditional equipment suppliers have kept up with these changes and are still active in the market, new companies are entering this increasingly competitive environment. Here are a few that will showcase solutions at the PRINTING United Expo.
Commercial Printing
Kyocera launched a brand new business unit for the production of printing applications. It began with the introduction of its sheetfed Inkjet Press: the TASKalfa PRO 15000c. This press was designed as an entry-level inkjet production system that is affordable and has the output quality necessary to compete with its digital competitors. It will be shown at PRINTING United Expo. Kyocera’s proprietary technologies for water-based inks and printheads, which are among the most expensive components of a production inkjet machine, will allow it to take advantage of this.
Sharp’s new Pro Series is its entry into the world of production printing. The MX-M1056 high-speed production series and MX-1206 light-weight production series are designed with features and advanced technology to meet the needs of high volume environments. The Fiery MXPE16 printserver with Command Workstation integrated at the control panel makes job management easier than ever.
Fujifilm’s new Revoria Press PC1120 recently entered the U.S. market and the world of digital printing, delivering high print speeds with a single-pass, six-color press. It can also load up to two special toner stations, which are available in Clear, Gold or Silver. The press can produce 120 ppm with a resolution 2,400×2,400dpi. It does this by drawing multiple images at the same time using laser beams. It has a very small particle size that allows it to reproduce photographs with smooth gradations, uniform density and sharper text. The printer has an in-line control sensor that allows for quick and easy calibration. It has a batch automatic adjustment feature that can adjust alignment, auto tone, bias transfer, and density uniformity at the same time.
Direct Mail
Direct mail costs are increasing as postal and material costs rise. More targeted mailings will increase effectiveness and lower costs. W+D will present their solutions for these new challenges.
W+D is launching its PRINTING United with new products that address labor challenges and improve production efficiency. The BBA820+ will be the North American premiere. This is an inserting system with servo drive that can insert up to 20K pieces in one hour. It’s also among the most productive available. This is one of the most versatile inserting systems available, as it can accommodate a variety of envelope sizes and thicknesses. It comes with the patented Auto Mismatch Recovery for “hands-free” synchronized inserting of personalized inserts, now further enhanced to match personalized outer envelopes by deploying the new divert bin on the track. You can change feeder types as your products change. You can choose from six, eight or 10 station bases. W+D is also introducing the new W+D iJet 3 inkjet-overprint press at Atlanta. The W+D i-Jet 3 is the third generation of W+D’s successful inkjet overprint press models. The new Memjet Durabolt print engine is capable of printing up to 36,000 #10 envelopes per hour. The highest resolution it can achieve is 1,600×1,280dpi.
Bowe Systec will debut their Fusion Speed BOXIT mail tray automation system in North America at PRINTING United. The Fusion Speed BOXIT Mail Tray Automation system is the fastest in their Fusion Series and can process up to 30,000 letter/hr. This automatic traying system is fully automated from rolled paper in the front of the system, and stacked and loaded #10 or 6×9” envelopes in the hoppers with sorted and filled trays coming out of the back of the line at 30,000 letters/hr. BOXIT handles the pre-sort automatically and intelligently. Based on the ZIP code, you could have either a short or long tray. BOXIT intelligently buffers each envelope as needed as it fills.
Packaging
Durst has been a leading provider of digital printing solutions and advanced production systems for many years. These include large-format, soft-signage (POP/POS), textile, label and corrugated display applications. The Tau RSC series label printers will be on display. They are a great alternative for digital label presses, and even medium-run flexo printing, as they do not require plates or makeready. Tau RSC can also be used to print flexible packaging. The new RSC inks are designed to ensure important brand colors and print performance while also focusing on sustainability. Durst Hawk Eye – a new technology that uses camera vision systems – is the latest innovation. This innovative technology goes a step further and identifies and corrects print errors, such as missing or damaged nozzles.
Matik will demonstrate the SEI LabelMaster continuous-feed CO2 The first laser system to be introduced on the market is at PRINTING United. It can perform laser-based processes including cutting, scoring, marking, micro-perforating, versioning, and other types of personalization — all in-line in a single pass. They can be combined to other digital or traditional modules for varnishing and laminating, hot-foil stamping, cutting, slitting and even inkjet print! It is available with up to four lasers in 13” or 24” widths. The materials processed include paper, PP and BOPP. This covers a broad range of requirements for label products. This is all done with a CCD for register cutting and print marker recognition.
SCREEN GALLUS will also showcase their inkjet labeling systems.
Signage
Digital signage isn’t a new concept. Many companies, including EFI, Canon HP Roland Durst Epson and others, have been producing rollfed or flatbed solutions for some time. Agfa Onset X has become one of the best flatbed wide-format printing machines on the market after the purchase of Inca. It is capable of printing more than 15,000 sq. ft. per hour, and it’s designed for continuous production 24/7. It’s perfect for POP displays and corrugated materials. The vacuum bed is industrial strength and can be used with metal, plastic or paperboard. It can be upgraded to the Onset X2 with an extra six-channel carriage. Then, it can be upgraded again as production requirements increase. Agfa is launching a new White Ink with increased opacity and new light Cyan & Magenta Inks at the show. They will also be showing a dual-robot setup that allows you to see two-sided print without any operator involvement.
Textiles
Textile and clothing are also undergoing a digital revolution and market shifts. In addition, they have been able learn from the transformations that occurred in the commercial printing and packaging industries.
Kornit Digital has been at the forefront in direct-to -fabric and direct -to-garment. They have developed digital technology solutions in just a few years to change the way designers and brands view current and future markets. Their single-step on-demand technology allows them to offer customers the flexibility they need.
Not only are they not the only solution, but there are many other digital solutions for textile and apparel printing. Mimaki offers digital inkjet solutions, as do HP, Epson Mutoh and Roland. All of them provide a new standard in quality and TCO, with a sustainable solutions to meet the needs of today’s consumer-driven marketplace.
Automation and Sustainability
With labor challenges and increased demand as well as regulations requiring sustainable design and production, it is clear that automation and sustainability will become a major focus for many of the companies attending PRINTING United Expo.
There will be lots to see and do at this event!