A day before the show doors opened, PRINTINGUnited Alliance held its first-ever PRINTINGUnited Expo Media Day on Monday September 9, 2024 designed as a way for media personnel to engage closely with exhibitors, offering opportunity to learn more about the innovations on display in a relaxed and engaging setting. WHERE To Print magazine was privileged to be among about 40 international trade media and reports:
For the first time, PRINTING United Expo sets the stage for what to come at the show floors as select group of exhibitors highlighted their 2024 show floor plans to international trade press in an immersive and engaging encounter at a special Media Day held throughout the day on Monday, September 9.
The Media Day got off to a great start as soon as the duo of PRINTING United Alliance – Ford Bowers and Mark J. Subers welcomed participants to Las Vegas while highlighting the crucial roles the non-governmental body plays in promoting, advocating and supporting the industry.
PRINTINGUnited Expo and the Industry – Mark J. Subers and Ford Bowers presentations
While welcoming close to 40 international media members, Mark J. Subers reiterated that this year’s PRINTING United Expo was focused on bringing the print community together to experience latest printing technologies and applications all under one roof. He thereafter explained that every application, technology and trend would be on full display from commercial to digital, wide-format to apparel and everything in between confirming the incredibility of industry’s most dynamic and comprehensive annual printing event.
Speaking on the relevance of PRINTINGUnited Alliance as the premier trade association for printing professionals looking to grow their businesses, Ford Bowers believed issues affecting the industry could easily be solved as a united front through collaboration, continuous learning, and sustainable practices. In all, he conclusively stated that; “Collectively, we have more weight and authority when we speak with one voice”.
State of the Industry
And just before the global exhibitors came on stage, NAPCO Research Media Team of Nathan Safran (Vice President, Research) and Lisa Cross (Principal Analyst) revealed the State of the Industry (as regards United States though relatively aligns with other industries) as they highlighted key business indicators, profitability trends and opportunities as well as product application outlook. The highpoint of their joint presentation was five (5) top trends to note in the industry:
- Convergence is reshaping print segments
- Artificial Intelligence: the journey begins
- Automation is the cornerstone of profitability
- Analogue to digital transformation accelerating
- Customers expect stellar service levels
According to the duo; “Sales are growing modestly, and profit margins are under pressure as cost-inflation outpaces price increases. None of that is likely to change for the better over the next 12 months”, as they stressed further that; “Print providers are taking action to maximize productivity companywide because inefficiencies can’t be passed on to clients, (and they do this by) successfully move into adjacent markets, automate processes, and meet customers expanding expectations” advising discerning print buyer and user to amongst others embrace AI adoption as the next big disruptor and tool for profitability and growth.
Canon 
Under the theme: Customer First. Always, the trio of Tanya Powers, Robert Barbera, and Brian Coombs presented: A Look Ahead with Canon that showcased Canon’s commitment to building future talents in the industry through PrintED – the only accreditation programme for high schools that teach Graphic Communications. According to Tanya Powers; “PrintED provides a talent pool (of) students that are consistently trained and ready to work to become the next generation of skilled labour in our industry”. Not only that, the session also revealed that Canon was also committed to University Inkjet Program (UIP) where students participate in virtual demos, lectures, and a project designed to learn about and design for inkjet technology. Thereafter, the Canon Team showcased the firm’s commitment to driving the commercial print market forward with an array of colour toner, monochrome toner and colour inkjet machines to be on display at the show. They also announced that there would be a print sample gallery at Canon Stand C348 in Central Hall where visitors can experience quality and versatility of Canon’s production inkjet portfolio such as ColorStream, ProStream, varioPRINT iX3200, varioPRINT iX1700, and LabelStream LS2000, with samples such as transactional documents, direct mail, marketing collaterals, books, magazines, photo specialties, and labels.
Kornit-Digital
At its Booths SL5029 & SL12221, Chris Govier said visitors would discover how Kornit-Digital solutions would empower their access to diverse markets, increase revenue potentials and offer premium, customized products with higher margins through its wide range of tested and trusted brands such as Kornit Atlas MAX POLY (the only digital one-step solution for dark polyester, tapping into lucrative sportswear markets while reducing operational costs), Kornit Presto MAX (that enables user to print any design on any fabric while significantly reducing environmental impact and delivering unmatched quality) and lastly, the world’s debut of industry’s mass production powerhouse – Kornit Apollo.
Lastly, in today’s fast-paced retail environment, staying ahead means adopting just-in-time and on-demand production methods, that was why Kornit-Digital mission to transform the fashion and textiles industry to on demand sustainable production is now a reality as it births the first, all-inclusive Kornit MAX Technology Solution – transcending traditional screen quality while serving all apparel verticals and diverse markets – from mass production and sportswear to fashion and home décor.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm invited PRINTINGUnited Expo attendees to “Discover the Difference” at its Booth C1141 as it raised common issues that create print process headwinds like over reliance on highly skilled but hard-to-find and affordable hands, traditional methods (with limited reach and relevance) and time-consuming and error prone manual processes. Accordingly, attendees were invited to see first-hand Fujifilm Digital Disruption Platforms from Wide Format, Commercial, Packaging and In Plant, including analog and digital solutions such as the high speed 6-colour, single pass production press – Revoria Press PC1120.
Agfa
Deborah Hutcheson amplified Agfa Inkjet Solutions credence that there’s; “A Beast for Every Need” from its proven inkjet printers. She noted that whatever the environment, market or application users operate in, and whether seeking high productivity, quality or versatility, Agfa has the right beast from Ciervo to Grizzly to meet their needs. She then invited attendees to Agfa’s Booths C1761 to see each equipment with unique strengths built into its design.
These include but not limited to: Anapurna Ciervo and Jeti Bronco (both mid-market hybrid printers), Jeti Condor RTR5200 HS (a high-end roll-to-roll printer), Jeti Tauro H3300 (a high-end hybrid inkjet printer), and Onset Grizzly X3 HS (a high-end flatbed inkjet printer for display graphics & packaging). She concluded that these beasts would deliver impressive results without compromise, boosting investors’ businesses.
Mimaki
With the theme: Ever Evolving, Mimaki’s Josh Hope set the stage for what to expect at Mimaki stand: C1737 with the introduction of four NEW machines. These include the roll-to-roll print and cut medium format printer (MFP) with eco-solvent ink – the CJV200 series; next is the JFX200-1213EX (a mid-sized flatbed UV inkjet printer); the third machine is a 3.2m-wide roll-to-roll inkjet printer that can output both direct sublimation printing and sublimation transfer printing for large format soft sign applications and home and textile markets – TxF300-1600; and the last of the new machines is TS330-3200DS DTF – a Direct-To-Film printer.
Stahl
Aside announcing its partnership on a wide range of educational and certification programmes with PRINTINGUnited Alliance iLEARNING+ platform, connoisseur of all things heat transfer printing – Stahl on the Media Day also introduced Stahl Full Engine for those who want to take control of their business growth. According to Stahl’s Josh Ellsworth EVP, of Sales & Marketing, the Full Engine would enable them sell more with simplified online selling, eliminate data entry & sourcing, automated production with Scan-to-Print, and much more!
Ricoh
At Booth C2161, attendees were enjoined to Discover the Future of Textile Printing with Ricoh as the company focused on showcasing the latest DTF technologies such as but not limited to the the innovative Ricoh Ri 4000 – a Game-Changer for Textile Printing with built-in Enhancer Technology. This machine eliminates the need for manual pretreatment or separate pretreatment machines, streamlining your workflow and enhancing print quality consistently. In addition, it prints flawlessly on 100% Polyester material. Designed for high productivity and ease of use, thus sets a new standard in textile printing. Its advanced features and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for any business looking to stay ahead in the competitive printing industry.
Muller Martini
Expectedly, finishing and book binding experts – Muller Martini set new standard for Smart Factory solutions with the machines on display in their Booth C2561. Aside presenting latest developments in the area of Smart Factory solutions such as North American premiere of the new Hunkeler Starbook sheetfolder and Vareo PRO perfect binder, visitors would also experience first-hand how the Prinova Digital saddle stitcher and the digital binding solutions, including the InfiniTrim trimming robot, could be seamlessly integrated into the groundbreaking Connex Workflow System, taking production processes to a whole new level. According to Andy Fetherman, President and CEO of Muller Martini Corp in North America; “Connex is the future of workflow optimization thanks to end-to-end data handling and synchronized output management, thereby significantly increasing efficiency at the same time reducing operating costs.”
Summarily, a special kudos to PRINTINGUnited Alliance Vice President – PR, Amanda Kliegl who excellently coordinated the Media Day – making it an invaluable and memorable experience to all. See you next year in Orlando, Florida from 22 to 24 October!
