Tech Highlight: The “Magnificent Seven”—Memorable Tech Takeaways from PRINTING United, Las Vegas 2024

In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan highlights what she calls the “Magnificent Seven” after sifting through the plethora of new products and technologies that were on display at PRINTING United 2024.

This year, Las Vegas was host to the PRINTING United Exhibition which teemed with product launches and technological highlights. The three-day expo, held September 10–12, attracted 24,969 registered attendees, 800 exhibitors, and industry thought leaders from 115 countries.

With 385,600 sq.ft. of technology—more than 2023—the Expo delivered an substantial showcase for exhibitors and attendees alike at this year’s event. The show was reported to be a great success for exhibitors who utilized the Expo’s all-compassing umbrella to showcase their newest and latest technology.

Texintel were there for the duration, and have selected seven magnificent updates and innovations from our industry partners that not only impressed the visitors, but also, each in their own way, moved the digital textile print agenda and the needle of digitization forward…

Epson

At PRINTING United, Epson continued to lead the industry with its commitment to excellence and innovation. The new product lineup showcased their dedication to delivering superior imaging solutions that meet the evolving needs of professionals in signage, textile, and photo applications. Attendees explored the latest innovations, including the F9570, S9170, P20570, and Epson’s advancements in the direct-to-film (DTF) space.

F9570: The #1 dye-sublimation brand in North America showcased its new SureColor® F9570H 64-inch printer for the first time at PRINTING United. The SureColor F-Series ranges from desktop to production printing capabilities and are engineered to offer a combination of reliable operation, exceptional quality, and blazing fast print output for a range of applications.
S9170: Elevating textile printing with high-speed performance and vivid colors. The SureColor S-Series delivers fast print speeds up to 550 sq.ft./hr. and same-day lamination capabilities to meet even the most demanding deadlines. Offering unparalleled image quality, these printers print on virtually any media type and deliver up to 98% PANTONE coverage.

Direct-to-Film Technology: Epson announced their exciting launch into roll-to-roll DTF technology with an exclusive industry preview of a new continuous-feed printing technology to be launched in mid 2025. The machine builds on the success of the SureColor F-Series DTG and hybrid DTF printers, including the now available SureColor F1070, and is designed to increase overall production and deliver outstanding image quality while reducing maintenance and operating costs. Supporting DTG and DTF printing, Epson Garment Creator 2 software assists with workflow and job creation, bringing creative ideas to life for small businesses and independent print shops.

EFI Reggiani

Meanwhile at EFI Reggiani, Paolo Torricella and Texintel CEO, Debbie McKeegan explored the latest innovations in digital textile printing from EFI Reggiani on the show floor. Paolo highlighted the new all-in-one pigment solution, the EFI™ Reggiani EXTRA digital printer- which offers superior light fastness and brilliance without pre-coating. This technology reduces energy consumption, manpower, and space requirements, making it a game-changer. The EXTRA platform, with 12 color lines, enhances color yield and gradients. Torricella continued to emphasize the importance of sustainability, noting that thanks to the 48 new recirculation print heads and legacy EFI Reggiani continuous ink recirculation system, EFI Reggiani EXTRA is also a champion for uptime and reliability, maximizing the printer’s availability for production with excellent printing results. The new system uses minimal water and chemicals, and integrates with existing systems for measurable sustainability.

Agfa Inkjet Solutions

Agfa highlighted its latest automation solutions for inkjet print production.

The MAX Bots handle substrate loading and/or unloading with up to 150 cycles per hour, enhancing productivity and reducing labor costs. Already known for its high-speed output of up to 9,741 sq.ft/hr., the Tauro H3300 UHS now integrates robotic automation to further increase productivity.
The Tauro H3300 UHS was also shown in a new seven-color configuration (CMYKLmLcLk), significantly enhancing the smoothness of light pastel colors and improving gradient transitions. This setup delivers superior print quality, particularly for industries demanding ultra-high quality, such as cosmetics, while also achieving additional ink savings through Agfa’s Thin Ink Technology.

HP Large Format

HP Large Format announced the unveiling of its latest innovations within the HP Latex print portfolio at PRINTING United.

Key highlights include the introduction of the new 10L ink accessory for the HP Latex 2700 printer, upgrades to HP software PrintOS, and enhancements to Live Production and Learn Premium software solutions.
HP Latex 2700 High-Capacity Ink Kit: Introducing the new high-capacity 10L ink accessory specifically designed for the HP Latex 2700 printer, HP is expanding its capabilities within the high-volume print market.
Streamlining Large Format Printing Businesses: Radically improving the efficiency and growth of PSPs, the expansion of HP’s Live Production software is a groundbreaking solution that empowers small to medium-sized PSPs to remotely manage their end-to-end workflow, from any PC or mobile device. Enabling unattended printing, this pioneering software allows users to control devices remotely, streamline production, and achieve greater efficiency.

Brother International Corporation

Brother highlighted the new GTX600 and the Digital Line DL1000 running in tandem, where a swift, orderly, and effective mass production operation can be achieved with minimum labor.

The Digital Line: With a barcode scan of each item, the Digital Line customizes the pretreatment process per each garment to create the ideal foundation for high quality, vibrant prints. And with faster print speed and an intelligent platen system of GTX600, a variety of different products can be printed with ease.
The WF1-L640 is a latex wide-format printer, developed by Brother for signs and displays for the first time, takes on a new business area utilizing the company's ink and printhead technology cultivated through the development of garment printers that print on fabric. The latex ink developed for the WF1-L640 achieves a wide array of colors and rich expressiveness, and in addition to having high weather resistance for outdoor advertisements is water-based, making it environmentally friendly and safe to use such as in restaurants, educational institutions, and medical institutions.

Kornit Digital

With the first-ever Apollo showcase in the Americas and strong endorsements of MAX quality from their customers, it’s clear Kornit is driving the industry towards a sustainable, on-demand future. And in recognition of its endeavors, the Kornit Apollo Printer won PRINTING United Alliance 2024 Pinnacle Product Award for Best Technology.

Kornit Digital showcased a vibrant, neon-colored collection printed entirely on poly-blend black fabrics using their advanced XDI technology. Designed by the talented Yanki & Nataf, this collection exemplifies the capabilities of their Atlas MAX Poly and Presto MAX printers.
Kornit Digital also showcased their long-standing partnership with Stanley/Stella (STST). Together, Kornit Digital and Stanley/Stella have prioritized eco-friendly advancements and innovation, achieving remarkable milestones: ink consumption reduced by 10–15% and an impressive defect rate below 0.02%.

MS Printing Solutions and the JK Group

At PRINTING United, MS & JK showcased their cutting-edge digital printing solutions designed to elevate any brand’s visual identity. On show were:

JP4 EVO 3.2: Designed for outstanding prints, bright colors, and detail accuracy. High productivity to meet the demands of any project.

KIIAN DIGITAL K-ONE: Delivers first-class image quality and unparalleled color consistency. Crucial for reproducing colors over time, ensuring brand integrity.

COLOR PACK Software: their new color calibration and management software. Simplifies the entire calibration process, halving calibration time and increasing color yield by up to 20%.

Coldenhove

PRINTING United offered a fantastic opportunity to discuss all things related to digital transfer paper with industry professionals. Showcasing three innovative Product Lines at the expo:

Xtreme® Sports, 100 GSM: The fastest drying paper designed specifically for industrial sportswear applications. Capable of handling high loads for optimal transfer of deep, saturated yet precise colors. Exceptional print quality and sharp detail in every piece, elevating your productivity to new heights.

Xtreme® Sign, 70 GSM: Designed to bring soft signage applications to life with superior print sharpness and outstanding color consistency. Effectively addresses the challenge of rivering, ensuring a flawless final product.

Texcol®: Revolutionary pigment transfer paper, perfect for knitted and woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, canvas, silk, wool, and nylon. Key features include a waterless process and no need for textile treatments, along with high fastness properties that maintain color vibrancy in premium textile applications.

Key Takeaways

Automation and efficiency: Many companies showcased new automation solutions and enhanced software to increase productivity and streamline processes. This trend reflects the growing demand for faster turnaround times and more efficient production in the printing industry.

Advancements in print quality: From Agfa’s seven-color configuration to Kornit Digital’s advanced XDI technology, there were several advancements in print quality on display at PRINTING United 2024. These innovations highlight a continued focus on delivering high-quality, vibrant prints that meet or exceed customer expectations.

Sustainable printing is key: Companies exhibited many eco-friendly solutions, such as Brother International Corporation’s latex printer and Coldenhove’s digital transfer paper lines designed for minimal environmental impact.

In Summary

All in all, PRINTING United 2024 was an unparalleled success, showcasing the very best of the print industry cohort. The energy of the industry was palpable and technical innovations on display were nothing short of outstanding. This event truly highlighted the power and potential of the community to exchange insight and then deliver the innovation the industry needs for commercial success.

The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the globe. Attendees were treated to game-changing insights and powerful networking opportunities that fostered collaboration and growth. The dynamic exchange of ideas and cutting-edge technology exhibited at the event underscored the forward-thinking nature of our printing industry.

The momentum generated at PRINTING United 2024 sets a strong foundation for future innovations, collaborations and sector success. We are excited to continue this journey and look forward to the next edition of PRINTING United, where the print community will once again unite to drive progress and excellence using digital technologies to democratize and advance the print industry.

Next year’s PRINTING United 2025 will take place October 22—24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.