This year’s PRINTING United Expo to hold at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia USA from 18 to 20 October will house over a million square feet of equipment, technologies, and trends across industries such as Apparel, Commercial, Wide-format, Industrial, Promotional, Label and Packaging, Mailing, Shipping, and Fulfillment, and more. In continuation of the show’s SPECIAL FEATURE PREVIEW in this second and concluding series of PRINTING United Expo excerpts, WHERE To Print reconnoitres some of the booths to highlight what will be on display for attendees to explore, learn, and grow their businesses.
Occupying two halls and some 1.2 million square feet of space overall with more than 800 exhibitors encompassing all types of print production, PRINTING United Expo 2023 which runs from 18 to 20 October is prepping to be the biggest show yet as it’s bringing together the entire printing & allied industries under one roof to experience over 111,000sqm of equipment, solutions, and latest trends.
These will be from the stable of the show’s two biggest exhibitors Fujifilm and Durst (exhibiting alongside its subsidiary Vanguard) as well as other major exhibitors including: Xerox, Canon, Roland DG, Epson, Heidelberg, Koenig & Bauer Ricoh, Sharp, Screen, EFI/Fiery, Komori and MBO, Enfocus, Landa Digital Printing, RMGT, Muller Martini, Mimaki, Kornit, Agfa, HP, Zund, Kyocera, Duplo and M&R Printing Equipment amongst many others.
As reported in last edition’s preview – while industry giant – Heidelberg plans to showcase its new Gallus One inkjet label press, leading manufacturer – Fujifilm will be showcasing its expanded product range including inkjet, wide-format, and toner presses. It will also debut the new B2 format 2,500sph Revoria Press GC12500 toner device (ostensibly better version of the PC1120 and Press E1 series). Check out a raft of other new product launches to be displayed live at the show:
WORLD PREMIERE OF THE W+D I-JET 3 INKJET OVERPRINT PRESS
Worldwide leader in envelope printing, converting, direct mail and ballot inserting technology – W+D North America Inc. will be introducing for the first time, live in Booth B2219, the new W+D i-Jet 3 inkjet overprint press at PRINTING United.
The W+D i-Jet 3 is the 3rd generation of W+D’s successful inkjet overprint press models. It features the new Memjet Durabolt production class print engine capable of printing 36,000+ #10 envelopes/hr. at its highest resolution of 1600 x 1280 dpi which puts it in a class of its own in terms of quality and speed. A new wider 12.77” print head with new bleed features now runs virtually all jobs faster in landscape mode. The W+D i-Jet 3 incorporates the proven HALM paper and envelope feeder, which thousands are in operation worldwide, and is critical to W+D’s high-speed nonstop output performance. Proven Xitron colour management and workflow automation are seamlessly incorporated into the overall press controls for the fastest and easiest job setups. Not only that, it’s lower-priced water-resistant pigmented inks, longer-life Durabolt print heads and more workflow automation features are expected to give printers a new lower total cost of operation and broader product range flexibility.
RMGT TO SHOWCASE 970PF-8+LED LONG PERFECTOR DURING PRINTING UNITED EXPO: ONLY OFFSET PRESS ON THE FLOOR
Manufacturer of the leading 8-up sheetfed offset press in North America – Ryobi MHI Graphic Technology LTD (RMGT) will be running live demonstrations of their flagship 970 8-UP+ press at the PRINTING United Expo.
At its Booth B1932, visitors will see that the efficiency of a perfecting press closes the gap on short run print jobs that are shifting from digital back to offset, and this same platform can easily produce 100,000 4/4 sheets in a single shift. That’s the equal of 200,000 impressions on a one-sided press and the cost improvement versus any single-sided output is remarkable.
With the press running live demonstrations every hour of the show, RMGT will demonstrate how the new 8-UP+ RMGT 970 expands the successful 9 Series family of offset presses from RMGT that are the North American 8-UP market leader. Since 2014 more than 100 RMGT 9 Series presses have been installed in North America. The RMGT 970 perfecting offset press features the latest in offset press technology such as ASAP (autonomous print production & 4-5 minute job changeovers), 15,000 SPH perfecting speed, and instant LED curing. These features allow over 80% of RMGT 9 Series presses to run with a single pressman, which saves more than $50,000 worth of labour cost per shift annually.
INX INKJET AND SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDES NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
With industry developments leading people to make key investments, INX International will offer PRINTING United Expo visitors plenty of options to help grow their businesses. At its Booth B1944 will be sustainable packaging inks, premium inkjet and screen printing inks, and digital printing systems.
To this end, several of INX’s Triangle® brand premium digital inks that run on some of the world’s largest multi-pass, high-speed inkjet printers will be prominently displayed. These include: Triangle GSU, HIP, and HSI™ (high performance, fast curing UV inks), and UV-LED Curable VHS inks (that offer significant cost savings and are formulated to meet GRACoL standards and G7 targets with sharper printability). It should also be noted that HIP is used on five different HP Scitex model series printers, HSI runs on Inca Onset flatbed printers, and VHS works with Vutek® HS120 and HS 125 series printers. Again, the Vutek GS™ hybrid model series handles GSU inks, and all are supported by INX Digital’s Worldwide Outdoor Durability and Ink Train warranties. INX experts will also discuss Agfa Tauro, a new high value inkjet solution and service program that is expected to be introduced in early 2024.
In addition to developing inkjet inks and coatings for alternative, custom, industrial, OEM, and specialty applications, INX’s technology-driven digital hardware and integration capabilities provide print operators with cost effective solutions. The JetINX™ Printhead Drive and Ink Recirculation system serves as a catalyst to help develop complete printing systems such as the NW350 UV Digital Label printer.
The packaging industry is a good example, with brand owners having encountering many challenges during an impressive growth phase in recent years. To combat counterfeit products that have proliferated in the marketplace, INX introduced a proprietary digital security ink with VerifyMe, Inc. in mid-2022. VerifyInk™ is a specially formulated, covert ink technology that is integrated into VerifyMe’s variable authentication, serialization, and track and trace technology. Run on continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers, it can be printed on paper and flexible packaging labels including shrink, apparel and fabric, metal caps, rigid plastics, glass or direct-to-object, such as wine bottles, using conventional and digital printing methods.
SCREEN AMERICAS TO DEMONSTRATE COMMERCIAL AND LABEL PRODUCTION AND SHOWCASE NEW SOLUTIONS FOR PAPER AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MARKET
Celebrating 80 years of service to the graphic arts industry this year, SCREEN Americas plans to demonstrate commercial and production applications and showcase new solutions for the paper and flexible packaging market at PRINTING United Expo.
In Booth B2544 will be the Truepress JET 520HD, a high-speed continuous roll-fed inkjet press engineered for commercial, direct mail and publishing applications. Also in the booth will be the Truepress LABEL 350UV SAI, a roll-fed inkjet press that allows for seven colors to produce high-quality labels. Live demonstrations of each press will be available for attendees to observe.
SCREEN Americas also plans to introduce the Truepress PAC 520P at PRINTING United. This digital inkjet press is especially engineered for paper-based pouch packaging and features new water-based pigment ink that complies with food safety regulations. Solutions to the ever-evolving needs of printers servicing the food packaging market will be addressed by the SCREEN team at the show. Attendees will also be updated with the latest samples from Truepress PAC 830F, a packaging press whose ongoing development is designed to meet the last-minute requests of customers in need of standing pouches, gusset bags and centre seal packages. Printed samples from the Truepress LABEL 350UV SAI containing a new solution designed to enhance ink adhesion on challenging substrates will be made available as well as samples featuring Truepress ink NP, a new high-density black pigment ink for the Truepress JET 520NX technology designed for printers specializing in direct mail marketing.
INTRODUCING THE DIGIFAV DUPLEX LAMINATOR: TWO-SIDED THIN GAUGE LAMINATION IN HALF THE TIME
Skandacor is excited to introduce the newest addition to our lineup: the Digifav DS Laminator by Bagel Systems. This machine brings thin gauge two-sided lamination to the B2 sheet size, halving traditional production times. The Digifav DS will be debuting at its Booth B15063 during PRINTING United this October, giving printers the chance to see the machine run live.
Although eliminating flipping and turning will halve traditional production times, the Digifav DS doesn’t stop there in increasing efficiency. Clients will be able to run common digital sizes like 13×19 in the landscape direction, feeding them long side in. This simple change means that they can pick up an additional 30% productivity gain in their finishing processes.
X-RITE SHOWCASES HOW DIGITAL WORKFLOW SOLUTIONS KEEP COLORS CONNECTED
At PRINTING United, X-Rite Incorporated and Pantone LLC, will demonstrate how a connected ecosystem of colour measurement, specification, formulation, and quality control solutions helps printers simplify print workflows, exceed brand requirements, and improve print quality. In the same vein, commercial, packaging, and specialty printers can reduce waste, boost profitability, and grow their print business by keeping their colour data digitally connected from design through production through the use of Pantone Guides and other X-Rite range of world acclaimed brands for colour standardisation. Therefore, visitors at PRINTING United Expo can explore X-Rite’s comprehensive range of colour workflow solutions at Booth C1713, including:
- eXact 2™ Portable Spectrophotometer
X-Rite’s most versatile, connected, and easy-to-use measurement device for optimizing the print workflow, from formulation through quality control. It offers enhanced accuracy and speed, non-contact video measurement and zoom technology, onboard Wi-Fi, and software connectivity, and can measure across substrates.
2. ColorCert Suite
Providing an overall view of print quality and colour performance through a single number score, this tool ensures compliance with brand specifications.
3. InkFormulation Software
Delivering fast, accurate, consistent ink formulations, this software handles formula creation, storage, approval, and retrieval for offset, flexo, gravure, and screen-printing inks.
4. NetProfiler Device Optimization Platform
A cloud-based platform that validates and optimizes spectrophotometer performance, ensuring colour consistency between devices and across the print and packaging supply chain.
5. i1Pro 3 Plus Colour Profiling Device
Reducing colour appearance variability, this device allows printers to create ICC profiles for almost any substrate, including paper, film, textiles, vinyl, and other materials, and calibrate digital presses for the highest colour accuracy.
6. IntelliTrax2 Pro
Designed for mid- to large-sized commercial printers, this integrated automated scanning solution provides instant feedback on job performance with direct integration to the ColorCert Suite. It is a G7® Press Control System Certified by Idealliance® and supports PSO and ISO print specifications.
In addition, attendees will hear about X-Rite’s extensive colour education and employee training offering, including free webinars, on-demand seminars, and on-site trainings. Or learn how an X-Rite G7™ Certified Expert can help print owners achieve G7 compliance. X-Rite also offers support services to keep digital workflows running smoothly with a range of device maintenance plans.
SHOW FEATURES OF PRINTING UNITED EXPO 2023
To make the event both invaluable and memorable to all visitors, show features include community hubs for different specialisms, hands-on training zones, and educational sessions. There will also be two Keynote Sessions: the first on DAY ONE looking at ‘Converting Printing Industry Uncertainty into Opportunities for Success’; while on DAY TWO the topic is ‘Fully staffed: How to Find and Keep Great Employees in Difficult Labour Markets’. So, for lifelong industry learners, the educational opportunities are endless at PRINTING United Expo 2023 where visitors will find extremely helpful conference-style education sessions, iLEARNING+, hands-on demonstrations, trainings, and more to empower them with valuable knowledge and insights.
HIGHLIGHTED EXPERIENCES AT PRINTING UNITED EXPO 2023
Many new and expanded show highlights are being planned for an even greater attendee experience so that visitors can truly maximize the “One Roof Concept” approach as a one-stop venue for all things printing. Visitors should therefore take advantage of these show highlights, including:
- Industry-leading Education
Back by popular demand are paid educational sessions which cover the latest trends, economics, and growth areas for businesses to diversify across subject areas, from industry leaders to full panel sessions led by experts in their fields. - Market Segment Community Hubs, Guided Tours, Daily Happy Hour, and More. Also by popular demand are segment areas on the show floor where attendees can stop by and speak with industry leaders and renowned media and associations from around the world. Expo Hubs on the show floor this year include: Commercial; Functional Printing and Industrial; Future State and Apparel; In-Plant; Label and Packaging; LATAM; Italian; Mailing and Shipping; and Wide-format and Digital Textile. Daily Tours, Morning Coffee and Roundtable Discussions, and Happy Hour Celebrations will be held each day of the show at the Community Hubs.
- Opening Night Industry Party at the Historic Tabernacle
Celebrate with your industry peers and colleagues at the special Opening Night Party at the historic Atlanta Tabernacle for a night of live music, dancing, networking, and more. The party takes place on Wednesday, October 18 at 8 – 10 p.m and admission is free with Expo Badge.
Finally, there’s really never been a show of this order of magnitude in the Americas. So, if you can put ink on it, you have to be there; if you really want to see printing technologies, PRINTING United Expo 2023 is the place to be!
Further information and registration details can be found at www.printingunited.com
