Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Printlink Finds the FireJet 4C Color Inkjet Press Ideal for Envelopes

Published August 10, 2021

Feeding envelopes through a printer is not necessarily an easy task, especially since there are so many sizes, configurations, and variations in thickness—even batch to batch. Yet Printlink has found an exceptional bespoke press solution that highlights what can be accomplished with production inkjet.

Labelexpo’s Tasha Ventimiglia on the Upcoming Label Congress

Published August 5, 2021

David Zwang talks to Tasha Ventimiglia, Americas Event Director for Labelexpo Americas, about the challenges of the pandemic for an event company and the much-anticipated return to in-person events with the upcoming Label Congress in Chicago at the end of September.

Canon Expands their Production Inkjet Portfolio with ColorStream 8000

Published June 22, 2021

Canon has the leading market share in production inkjet and has the widest range of production inkjet presses available. With the introduction of the ColorStream 8000, they are expanding their commercial production inkjet product line to further capture both toner and existing offset produced pages.

EFI’s Fiery Business CTO Josef Coetsee on DFEs

Published June 8, 2021

David Zwang talks to Josef Coetsee, CTO of EFI’s Fiery Division, about EFI’s unique approach to digital front ends (DFEs). Much more than a RIP, a DFE is a set of services—hardware and software—that enable print shops to execute their workflows, manage their operations, and drive their presses.

Labels and Packaging: The Pandemic Provides New Opportunities Supporting Telemedicine

Published June 1, 2021

Telemedicine grew more than 6,000% during the pandemic. With that rate of growth, and no preparation, how were healthcare providers expected to provide the care needed remotely for seniors and others who were on extreme lockdown?

How to Participate in Industry 4.0 Part 5: Getting Data…and Now What?

Published May 25, 2021

In this fifth article of this series, we continue to look at Industry 4.0, not as a marketing term, but in an actionable way so that you can begin or continue to prepare your company and participate in the many benefits today and tomorrow. In this article, we look at a solution that provides some process connection points, data collection and analysis.

How to Participate in Industry 4.0 Part 4: The Smart Factory

Published May 18, 2021

In this fourth article in this series, we continue to look at Industry 4.0, not as a marketing term, but in an actionable way so that you can begin or continue to prepare your company and participate in the many benefits today and tomorrow. In this article, we pause the background education and take a look at some currently available solutions and a peek into futures.

Global Graphics’ Eric Worrall on SmartDFEs

Published May 18, 2021

David Zwang talks to Eric Worrall, VP of Products and Services for Global Graphics Software, about digital front ends (DFEs), the elements that comprise a DFE, and Global Graphics’ recent introduction of its SmartDFE.

Labels and Packaging Has a Transformative Year

Published May 13, 2021

As part of our preview of next week’s Technology Outlook Week, David Zwang looks at how label and packaging production is transforming.

Kodak’s Jim Continenza Wins a Maverick Award

Published May 11, 2021

David Zwang talks to Jim Continenza, Chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak, about he and his team winning a Maverick Award for Business Achievement, and how Kodak remains on schedule with its five-year plan that had been developed several years ago.

Ricoh’s New President and CEO Carsten Bruhn on Doing Business Post-COVID

Published May 6, 2021

David Zwang talks with Carsten Bruhn, newly appointed President and CEO of Ricoh North America. Bruhn has been with Ricoh for more than 30 years, and he talks about his journey in the industry and in Ricoh, as well as how he sees Ricoh doing business as we emerge from the pandemic.

How to Participate in Industry 4.0—Part 3: Content Production Software

Published May 4, 2021

In this third article of this series, we continue to look at Industry 4.0, not as a marketing term, but in an actionable way that you can begin or continue to prepare your company and participate in the many benefits. In this article, we take a look at content production software.

Sticking Around: Exploring the Emerging Trends in Labeling

Published May 3, 2021

The print label market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2021 to 2026, and last year had a significant impact on consumer purchasing habits—as a result, it also had an impact on labels and packaging in general. David Zwang runs through some of the trends that have started shifting at an increased rate, facilitated by new technologies.

Association Insights—Getting to Know the Ghent Workgroup

Published April 29, 2021

The Ghent Workgroup (GWG) is an international organization made up of graphic arts experts, users, hardware and software vendors as well as educational members building best practices for print and packaging workflows. David Zwang highlights the accomplishments the organization has achieved over the past 20 years, expanding beyond its initial goals.

How to Participate in Industry 4.0—Part 2: Internal Hardware Systems

Published April 27, 2021

In this new series we look at Industry 4.0—not as a marketing term, but in an actionable way so that you can begin or continue to prepare your company and participate in the many benefits. In this second article in the series, we take a look at internal hardware systems.

How to Participate in Industry 4.0—Part 1: State of Readiness

Published April 20, 2021

In this new series, we look at Industry 4.0. Not as a marketing term, but in an actionable way so that you can begin or continue to prepare your company and participate in the many benefits. In this first article of the series, we start at the beginning and look at the state of readiness.

Executive Label’s Jason Raye on the Transition to Digital

Published April 15, 2021

In this Thought Leadership Series video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Jason Raye, VP of Executive Label Inc. The company began with flexo presses and moved into digital printing in 2012 with an HP Indigo 6800. The company is on its third digital press, having recently installed an HP Indigo 8000. The transition into digital completely changed Empire’s business.

Show Me the Money: Making Print Secure

Published April 13, 2021

Printing is a valuable and versatile platform that provides methods of communication, identification, even interaction. However, what happens when you need your printing secure or validated? David Zwang looks at today’s options.

Security Is the Best Medicine: The Importance of Information and Data Security in Pharmaceutical Packaging

Published March 24, 2021

Pharmaceutical packaging compliance, including safety and supply chain visibility, is an area that demands secure packaging and label identification. Many new compliance regulations are designed to verify the authenticity and origin of raw materials and ingredients, and to effectively, quickly, and accurately track and trace the products as they move across a global supply chain. David Zwang looks at these regulations, some of the new technologies in place to comply with them, and how print service providers can ensure they are in compliance.

Transformational Workflow Infrastructures v2021

Published March 23, 2021

Business processes and production workflows cannot be stagnant and need to evolve as the markets and technologies evolve. Understanding the need and creating an infrastructure that supports that is key. The good news is that the options are improving.

Beyond the Bottle: Opportunities and Challenges in Pharmaceutical Packaging

Published March 17, 2021

Like many other industries, pharmaceuticals is going through a transition, and as we have seen before, industries in transition offer opportunities for those who are willing to learn and engage. David Zwang provides an overview of the latest trends in pharma packaging, and how to identify and take advantage of the opportunities.

As the Market Changes, It’s Good to Have Partners in Growth

Published March 16, 2021

Over the years, Kodak has developed many groundbreaking products and, along the way, very strong bonds with their customers. Considering their long history supporting print service providers with consumables and digital process solutions, they have been able to enhance their clients’ business growth and create a great platform for Kodak’s business growth as well, it makes perfect sense.

Canon Production Printing’s Crit Driessen and Walter Vogelsberger on the Latest Digital Packaging News

Published March 9, 2021

David Zwang talks to Crit Driessen, Senior Advisor Commercial and Industrial Printing at Canon Production Printing, and Walter Vogelsberger, VP Digital Packaging Printing at Canon Production Printing. Crit shares some of the latest Canon Labelstream installations and other news and, as Walter transitions into this new position, what he envisions for digital packaging at Canon.

The Print Taxonomy Initiative—Or, What Is Print and Where Is It?

Published March 8, 2021

The print industry has been going through a major evolution since the introduction of digital technologies. Trying to identify and quantify this shift has been almost impossible since many of the definitions of print and printing technologies haven’t been properly updated in decades. An important new initiative is tasked with drafting an “open” standard taxonomy for the global printing industry to address the issues.

The Expertise to Innovate with New Inkjet Applications: NIXKA

Published February 23, 2021

NIXKA may be the new kid on the block, or are they? They actually have 30 years of expertise in developing ink and material jetting solutions, with an impressive track record. More importantly, they have the right philosophy.

CompanyBox’s Louis DeJesus Talks about On-Demand Packaging

Published February 23, 2021

David Zwang talks to Louis DeJesus, CEO and Founder of CompanyBox, which specializes in digital, on-demand packaging. The company leverages digital platforms, automation, and order aggregation so that the cost of one package is "the same as the cost of a truckload.”

Ernie Crawford on 25 Years of Crawford Technologies

Published February 17, 2021

David Zwang talks to Ernie Crawford, President and CEO of Crawford Technologies, about the evolution of the company. Founded 25 years ago, the company at that time was focused on helping organizations with the transition to then-new architectures like PostScript and PDF. Today, Crawford helps companies optimize workflows for transactional, direct mail, and commercial print.

Packaging Prepress Services Adapt and Expand

Published February 16, 2021

As packaging requirements change and the transition to digital printing increases, who will pick up the mantle?

Inkjet for Corrugated Is Not Just for Short Runs

Published February 9, 2021

Here are two corrugating companies that have found that production inkjet in place of the litho laminate process makes great operating and financial sense.

Georgia-Pacific Expands Its Digital Corrugated Capabilities

Published February 3, 2021

David Zwang talks to Bob Seay, VP Digital Print Solutions, for Georgia-Pacific Corrugated, which recently acquired an HP T1100 digital press. The Hummingbird business within Georgia-Pacific’s Digital Printing Solutions provides fast-turn digital preprint corrugated. The T1100 press offers Georgia-Pacific new capabilities.

Taking Color Management to the Next Dimension

Published February 2, 2021

Color Management is the critical part of any reproduction process, especially as it relates to brand identity. We have good tools today, but as print applications expand beyond conventional media—for example, to packaging and industrial applications—we are starting to outgrow them.

Linemark Printing’s Expansion into Packaging

Published February 1, 2021

David Zwang talks to David Ashton, EVP/Partner at the DC-area's Linemark Printing. Linemark does general commercial printing and transactional work, direct mail, and has a growing e-commerce business. Customers have pulled Linemark into some unique area—in particular, packaging printing.

Fast Moving Consumer Shifts—Drilling Down to Find the Opportunities

Published January 19, 2021

Consumer trends have been shifting for a while. However, the rate of shift is increasing, opening up opportunities for new product innovation and a shift in packaging demands.

Fast Moving Consumer Shifts, or Where’s the Toilet Paper?—Part 1

Published January 12, 2021

Consumer behavior has changed at an alarming rate and will continue to change, opening up new opportunities for new product innovation—and packaging.

Kasper Tomshoj on PrintVis’s Partnership with Kodak

Published December 18, 2020

David Zwang talks to Kasper Tomshoj, CEO of PrintVis, about the company’s almost 25-year history as an MIS provider for the printing and packaging industry. PrintVis recently teamed up with Kodak as an implementation partner as part of PRINERGY On Demand Business Solutions.

Todd Bigger on PRINERGY On Demand Business Solutions: “Not Your Father’s PRINERGY”

Published December 17, 2020

Todd Bigger, VP of Software and Services for Kodak, talks to David Zwang about the new iteration of PRINERGY On Demand. Back in May, Kodak moved moved PRINERGY into the cloud with PRINERGY On Demand and this Fall, Kodak is launching PRINERGY On Demand Business Solutions, a fully integrated and managed end-to-end software platform for all printers of any size and any segment that aims to eliminate the need for multiple standalone software products from different suppliers.

Ricoh Enters the Cutsheet Production Inkjet Press Market with a Game Changer

Published December 10, 2020

Ricoh is not a newcomer to production inkjet. But as a late-comer to cut-sheet production inkjet, how do you compete with both the existing B2+ and A3 presses in the market at the same time? Apparently, they figured it out!

Labels and Packaging 2020: The Year in Review

Published December 9, 2020

2020 was a transformative year, not so much for new and significant developments in label and packaging printing technologies—although there were some—but for triggering increased awareness of the value of digital packaging production. David Zwang looks back at the year’s label and packaging products and technologies.

The Transformation of a Classic: Duggal Visual Solutions

Published December 8, 2020

Duggal Visual Solutions is a company that has been growing and transforming itself since its inception in 1963, and through it all has maintained their core values of high quality and service to their customers. They have proved that they can, and will, continue to innovate and transform to meet the changing needs of visual communications.

For Label Specialties, Versatility Is Key

Published December 8, 2020

David Zwang talks to Jenny Johnson Wolf and Mike Wolf of Label Specialties. Based in Louisville, Ky., Label Specialities is a trade printer that uses every technology available, especially flexo and, most recently, digital labels using HP presses. They also offer a variety of finishing and die-cutting services so as to be able to handle whatever requirements a customer may have.

Duggal Visual Solutions: "We Try to Be Involved in Every Way Our Customers Communicate Visually”

Published December 8, 2020

David Zwang talks to Michael Duggal, CEO of Duggal Visual Solutions. The company started in 1963 as a boutique photo lab for artists and museums and has transformed with new technologies to offer a full gamut of visual communications—from high-quality photoprinting, wide-format printing and vehicle and building wraps,to fabrication services, to CGI and interactive digital multi-media. Duggal also just recently acquired a Landa S10 to broaden their print offerings even further.

Xeikon Moves into Corrugated

Published December 3, 2020

Daniel Valema, Strategic Director, Digital Solutions, Xeikon, talks to David Zwang about Xeikon’s move into forms of packaging beyond labels, namely corrugated.

Canon’s Crit Driessen on the Labelstream 4000 Installation at Germany’s Oschatz Visuelle Medien

Published December 2, 2020

Crit Driessen, VP Digital Packaging Print, Canon, talks with David Zwang about the installation of the first LabelStream 4000 series digital label press at Oschatz Visuelle Medien, a full-service visual communications agency based in Niedernhausen, near Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Xeikon’s Stefan Clopterop on fleXflow

Published December 1, 2020

David Zwang talks with Stefan Clopterop, Segment Manager, Labels and Packaging, Xeikon, about the Xeikon fleXflow digital pouch production solution.

Ed Zumbiel and Packaging’s Digital Transformation

Published November 19, 2020

David Zwang and Ed Zumbiel, President of Zumbiel Digital, discuss the opportunities and challenges to be found in the digital transformation of packaging.

Digital Packaging Migration: Sustainability Is the Key, but What Does that Really Mean?

Published November 17, 2020

In biology, “adaptation is the physical or behavioral characteristic of an organism that helps an organism to survive better in the surrounding environment.” When we look at one of the newer requirements of packaging—sustainability—we tend to limit it to the ecological focus, when the more consequential focus relates to adaptation.

Matt Reddington Introduces Veritiv Vine (Part 2)

Published November 12, 2020

In part 2 of a two-part video interview, David Zwang talks to Matt Reddington, Director of Global Design Services for Veritiv, about Veritiv Vine, the company’s new packaging and brand design offering. Vine is intended to bridge the gap between design and packaging production, combining design creativity with supply chain expertise.

Digital Packaging Migration: What’s Taking So Long?

Published November 10, 2020

The cost of printing has always been important. For packaging, which has volume counted in the tens of thousands to millions of pieces of each, it is a primary focus. Since the product manufacturing and time to market are dependent on it, not only is the cost of packaging important, but also the level of productivity.

Matt Reddington Introduces Veritiv Vine

Published November 5, 2020

In part 1 of a two-part video interview, David Zwang talks to Matt Reddington, Director of Global Design Services for Veritiv, about Veritiv Vine, the company’s new packaging and brand design offering. Vine is intended to bridge the gap between design and packaging production, combining design creativity with supply chain expertise.

Cracking the Code: Is Your Packaging Secure?

Published November 4, 2020

While product counterfeiting has been an issue for many years, brands are now determined to address the issue head on. Security is becoming a crucial part of the packaging process, especially in the age of COVID.

Smithers’ Sean Smyth Talks About Digital Print for Packaging

Published October 29, 2020

Smithers print consultant Sean Smyth talks to David Zwang and recaps some of the highlights of Smithers' recent “Digital Print for Packaging” virtual event. Key takeaways included the relative resilience of the digital label and packaging communities, the emergence of cannabis packaging, and how ecommerce is changing the demand for and nature of packaging.

Digital Packaging Migration: “Déjà Vu All Over Again”?

Published October 27, 2020

Can the digital packaging transition learn from commercial print transition experiences, and increase the rate of migration, or are they destined to relive the same growth pains?

Corrugated Growth and Challenges Part 2: Design Opportunities and Cost Challenges

Published October 20, 2020

Growth projections from the pre-COVID forecast for digital print for packaging are just slightly below the initial 2019 forecast in the short term, while a longer-term forecast looks much more encouraging. However, moving from analog to digital production brings some challenges.

Packaging Is Changing: Is It to Our Benefit or Our Fault?

Published October 19, 2020

Packaging trends have been shifting since before the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue after it becomes a footnote in history, although perhaps at an accelerated pace. The real drivers for change are the rise of urban living and mega-cities and increased environmental awareness. This all means that packaging-based supply chains will continue to adapt to the growing population centers and drive packaging growth and shifts.

Corrugated Growth and Challenges Part 1: If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Be Doing It

Published October 13, 2020

The potential opportunities in corrugated packaging are significant, but like any other process, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. In this article, we will look at some of the technical challenges.

Hybrid and Bespoke Packaging Solutions: Using Component Technology Expands Print Options

Published September 29, 2020

Bespoke or “custom-built” solutions are moving print from a stand-alone process to become a part of the product manufacturing process. David Zwang takes a look at the current bespoke and hybrid packaging solutions, and the advantages they can have over pure digital or analog solutions.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Provide Real Benefits

Published September 8, 2020

Designing and creating policies and procedures that ensure that essential business functions/processes are available during and after a disaster is an important process for all businesses. If done properly, it can actually prove to be beneficial beyond business continuity and disaster recovery as a way to handle production overflow during peak times

thINK Board Members on This Year’s Event

Published September 2, 2020

David Zwang talks to thINK Board members Todd Roth and Pete Studer about how the Board made the decision to hold thINK as a virtual event, how they went about putting the event together, and how they approached the selection of specific programs and new topics to cover.

Watch Out Inkjet: Toner Appears to Be Poised to Make a Comeback

Published September 1, 2020

Now that production inkjet has finally reached the offset quality barrier, some believe that it is the death knell for toner. Although as Mark Twain said, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” and based on recent developments in toner technology I believe that is the case here as well.

Automating Imposition: Agnostic, Smart, and Easy?

Published August 31, 2020

Considering most printing companies have an assortment of presses, finishing equipment, and product types, having disparate imposition workflows is a very inefficient way to manage it. Ultimate has raised the bar again with the just-released Impostrip 2020.

Sustainability: The Great Reset—What Can We Do?

Published August 11, 2020

The planet earth and its natural resources have not grown in over 4 billion years, yet the population has increased from 800 million in 1700 to almost 8 billion in 2020, all competing for their share and putting great stress on the environment and the population. It is obvious that this rate of growth can’t be sustained without some proactive behavioral changes.

Heidelberg Realignment: A Perspective in Context

Published July 28, 2020

Over the last 170 years, Heidelberg has developed many new products, some have rewarded them with great success and others not. As an engineering company, it is in their nature to keep innovating, and as Albert Einstein said, “The only sure way to avoid making mistakes is to have no new ideas.”

Canon Solidifies Their Production Inkjet Leadership Position with ProStream 1800

Published July 15, 2020

Canon has the leading market share in production inkjet and has the widest range of production inkjet presses available. With the introduction of the ProStream 1800, they are expanding their commercial production inkjet product line to continue to capture both toner and existing offset produced pages.

Paper Treatment to Protect Against Spread of Coronavirus

Published July 14, 2020

Is there a way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 through printed materials using an antimicrobial paper treatment? Under the current circumstances, no commercial lab has a suitable test environment or authority to test against COVID-19. However, there may be a suitable solution tested against a similar virus.

Devastated by the Downturn, APPi Bounces Back with Antimicrobial Paper Coating

Published June 25, 2020

David Zwang talks with John Beadel, President of Associated Printing Production Inc. (APPi), founded in 1991 by Beadel and his brother. From day one, the company’s primary client bases were the cruise line, hospitality, and leisure industries—the ones that were the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. Facing a “devastated business,” APPi worked with Biomaster on an antimicrobial coating for paper that provides life-time, 24/7 protection for printed materials. As the leisure industry starts to reopen, demand has skyrocketed.

Hybrid Software Brings Packaging Workflows to a New Level of Automation

Published June 23, 2020

Packaging has been going through a digital renaissance of late, and as the printing and converting hardware has been evolving, the workflow software to maximize the utilization of that hardware has been evolving as well. Based on these latest updates and solutions, it is apparent that Hybrid is looking at the requirements of Industry 4.0 and the interconnected business and manufacturing landscape.

Kodak Rebuilds and Innovates with New Digital and Offset Products to Support Future Growth

Published June 16, 2020

Kodak has been rebuilding, innovating, and is ready reclaim their leadership position. Refocused direction and new products that will support their customers’ needs will get them there.

Racami on Solving Variable Data PDF Problems

Published June 15, 2020

David Zwang talks to Matt Mahoney, Executive VP of Sales & Marketing for Racami, a developer of software and IT services for transactional printers and direct marketers. Mahoney talks about some of the issues Racami customers have with variable-data printing, especially problems stemming from VDP PDF file creation, and some of the solutions Racami offers.

HP’s Gershon Alon Talks About Increasing Print Job Complexity

Published June 8, 2020

Gershon Alon, Head of HP PrintOS, HP Indigo, talks to David Zwang about how increased print jobs and the greater complexity of those jobs—largely due to variable data—have put great strains on digital front ends. Users thus need to create variable-data PDFs that won’t tie up RIPs and digital presses. HP’s partner Global Graphics recently released the “Full Speed Ahead” guide to variable-data print PDF creation.

Postprint Corrugated: Xeikon IDERA Coming Out Strong

Published June 3, 2020

There are currently many postprint corrugated solutions out there, yet most have not gained significant traction in the market. Xeikon, their credibility, and the market understanding of Flint, puts them in a great position to enter and even grow the market.

Global Graphics Goes Full Speed Ahead with New Guide to Making Variable-Data PDFs

Published June 1, 2020

Martin Bailey, CTO of Global Graphics Software, talks with David Zwang about “Full Speed Ahead,” a new guide that helps people make PDF files for variable-data printing more efficiently, especially as VDP is taking off in new markets and applications, such as labels and packaging.

Sustainably Putting the Wrap on Shrink Sleeves and Labels?

Published May 26, 2020

Can a new, more sustainable technology compete in the third largest output value application in packaging? ACTEGA has developed an interesting solution and is poised to find out.

Breaking the Electrophotographic Barriers—HP Indigo LEPx and V12

Published May 19, 2020

HP has spent the last four years developing ways to overcome the existing production barriers of their EP products and processes. They recently announced LEPx, a unique new imaging technology as an integral component of the V12, their future platform label press.

Kodak Adapts to the New Environment

Published May 18, 2020

David Zwang talks with Jim Continenza about where Kodak is today, where it's going in the future, and how some of the changes Kodak made in the past year have helped the company weather the current crisis. The company is also using the shutdown to devote its energy to R&D.

Remote Director Facilitates Remote Proofing

Published May 4, 2020

In these difficult times where print and packaging ordering and production are occurring remotely, Remote Director has a solution and special arrangement for those in need of remote proofing. David Zwang talks to Remote Director President Dan Caldwell about the advantages of the company’s solution.

If You Don’t Like This Reality, Try One of These

Published April 30, 2020

Our current “reality” may not be ideal, but as we come out of this pandemic and begin to redefine our “new normal,” we will find that print will play a big part in engaging that new reality. I am guessing it will also include AR, MR, and VR as well.

Global Graphics Changes the Game—Now Going Direct to the Printhead!

Published April 29, 2020

Global Graphics has developed the first direct-to-printhead processing pipeline using desktop class CPUs creating a future-proof solution to keep up with the latest production inkjet presses. This is a very significant development and is truly a game changer.

Miraclon Celebrates Its One-Year Anniversary

Published April 27, 2020

David Zwang talks to Chris Payne, CEO of Miraclon, the former Kodak flexo unit, about Miraclon’s one-year anniversary as an independent company, how the company has fared over the past year, as well as the state of business during the current crisis.

Canon VarioPRINT iX Targets Commercial Print

Published April 1, 2020

Canon has announced the next generation in its VarioPrint line of sheetfed inkjet presses. The varioPRINT iX series is built on a new platform, based on the experiences from the current i-series platform, and is designed for commercial print applications.

Memjet and the Expansion of Single-Pass Inkjet Printing

Published March 30, 2020

Kevin Shimamoto, CMO for Memjet, talks to David Zwang about how Memjet’s inkjet technology platforms and OEM partners are expanding single-pass inkjet into the mainstream printing market and beyond, into new and different applications.

drupa Preview Briefing—Xeikon Raises the Bar

Published March 30, 2020

Xeikon isn’t waiting until drupa 2021 to introduce new products they have been working on. The SX30000, Cheetah 2.0, and an upgraded X-800 are designed to reduce operating costs and increase competitiveness compared with other EP press manufacturers and entry level inkjet solutions like the Canon VarioPrint i300, and Xerox’s Rialto and Baltoro.

The Canna-Business: Diving into the Business of Cannabis and its Packaging

Published March 24, 2020

As the articles in our series on the cannabis packaging market have shown, this is a high-growth area—but various pitfalls abound. David Zwang talks to several companies producing packaging for the cannabis market and highlights the opportunities they've found and the challenges they faced.

drupa 2020: HP Indigo Steps Up Their Game All Around

Published March 12, 2020

On the heels of the HP PageWide announcement last week, HP Indigo has now announced some significant technology and product advancements which seem to reaffirm industry shifts, but more importantly highlight the company’s direction going forward.

HP PageWide Inkjet Has Become Brilliant

Published March 10, 2020

HP likes to combine technology innovation with the release of a new press. In this case, the new innovation is HP Brilliant InkTMand the press is the new HP PageWide Web Press T250 HD. Targeted at commercial and publishing markets, initially Brilliant InkTMadds compatibility with offset coated and uncoated media through the selective use of a new HP Optimizer. This brings HP PageWide to the level of media handling capabilities of the competing Canon ProStream and Ricoh VC70000.

HP Announces New PageWide Web Press with Brilliant Ink

Published March 10, 2020

Carles Farre of HP talks to David Zwang about the just-announced HP PageWide Web Press T250 HD with Brilliant Ink. Brilliant Ink expands the range of applications users can produce, as it makes the HP PageWide T250 HD press compatible with offset coated stock.

Executive Q&A: Kevin Shimamoto, Chief Marketing Officer, Memjet

Published March 9, 2020

Kevin Shimamoto is the CMO of Memjet, a company that is positioned to provide the tools for the next generation of printing applications. His background, and the Memjet mission, is a great story that brings energy and innovation to print.

drupa Preview: Re-Automating Automation—The Next Wave

Published March 3, 2020

On the 20th anniversary of Enfocus PitStop Server, one of the earliest of the automated workflow tools, there is a broader movement to bring automation tools to the next level in order to support the new business and production requirements of today and tomorrow.

Industry 4.0 to Play a Big Role at drupa 2020

Published March 2, 2020

Gavin Jordan-Smith, Senior VP, Commercial and Industrial Print, for Ricoh, looks ahead to drupa 2020, and anticipates the extent to which elements of “Industry 4.0” will play more significant and tangible roles in emerging new products. Artificial Intelligence (AI), for example, will be increasingly integrated—not just for predictive maintenance, but also to intelligently control workflows.

The Signs Are Good for Signs of Success

Published February 13, 2020

Curtis Metz talks to David Zwang about Signs of Success, a company that contracts with sign shops to do installations of major sign projects—analog and dynamic digital—and how the company is growing its digital business. The company also has a side business in embroidery and custom heat-transfer T-shirts.

The Added Value of Web-to-Print

Published February 11, 2020

Greg Salzman, President of Aleyant Systems, talks to David Zwang about the value that a web-to-print/online ordering portal beings to a print business. Not only does it make it convenient for customers to place orders at any time, it also frees up resources within the print business, as it doesn’t require the involvement of sales or customer service reps, or even estimators.

Corrugated Re-Envisioned—Part 3: Preprint (Print and Laminate) Even More Choices!

Published February 4, 2020

High color corrugated packaging is growing and will continue to grow. The run sizes are getting smaller to adapt to the new market requirements, and the opportunities for print service providers to jump on this moving train abound. In Part 3 of this series, I focus on the available preprint solutions with some limited product mentions. Selecting which method is better is really based on a lot of factors, including your market opportunities, capital investment, production costs, and internal skills. Although making that determination also involves board and run size as well. Both analog and digital presses are and will continue to be in the mix and grow. It’s a pretty exciting time with some great opportunities.

Corrugated Re-Envisioned Part 2—Direct Print (Post-Print) Lots of Choices!

Published January 28, 2020

In Part 2 of this series, I focus on the available digital post-print solutions with some limited product mentions. Leading up to drupa, I will cover some of the offerings in greater depth. All of the solutions discussed here are “single pass” printers, where the printheads are stationary and only the media moves. They include complete corrugating equipment with built in printing, to a tabletop printer with lots of other options in between. Equipment pricing ranges from in excess of $4MM to as low as $19K. In summary: Lots of Choices!

Packaging Preview: Corrugated Post-Print Re-Envisioned—Part 1

Published January 21, 2020

There are “two primary” corrugated print manufacturing processes for high graphics: a multi-process method of printing on a top sheet (liner) which is then laminated to the corrugated material, or, alternatively, a single process method of printing directly on the corrugated material, sometimes called “post-print.” In this article, we will look at the award-winning Bobst THQ (Très Haute Qualité) FlexoCloud technology focused on corrugated post-print production, and perhaps some alternative methods.

The Future of Corrugated—Lots of Opportunity and Lots of Choices!

Published January 14, 2020

One of the more active growth areas for print service providers and of digital printing equipment development is corrugated, and for good reason. Estimates of corrugated shipments in North America are in excess of 420 billion square feet and growing. Estimates for three or more color “high graphics” corrugated production is growing as well with actual output for 2019 anticipated to have 20%–30% share of the overall corrugated volume. Overall, this is an exciting market with a lot of growth potential.

drupa Preview: Front-End Trends

Published January 9, 2020

Wim Fransen, General Manager of Enfocus, talks to David Zwang about some of the major trends he has been seeing as we head toward drupa, including the emergence of faster technologies, the need to handle shorter job runs with faster turnaround times, and new front-end solutions that bridge the gap between job entry, MIS, and prepress.

Actega EcoLeaf (aka Nano Metallography) Digital Metallization Ready for Prime Time

Published January 7, 2020

At drupa 2016, Landa Labs introduced Nano Metallography, a new metallization technology to replace foils for embellishments. This process is designed to produce zero waste at less than half the cost of foil. In February of 2017, Actega Metal Print, a division of Altana AG, acquired the technology and rebranded it EcoLeaf. The solution is now going into beta and will be fully commercialized in time for drupa 2020.

People Love Embellishments—But Often Fear Them

Published December 19, 2019

Trish Witkowski, Chief Fold Fanatic for Fold Factory, talks to David Zwang about “embellishments”—people love them, but are often scared of them. There is a perception that “special effects” are only for special projects, and embellishment examples are often highly elaborate and aspirational. As a result, printers don’t often see how embellishments can be scaled down and used for more day-to-day print applications.

Flexible Packaging with Inkjet Gets Fast and Wide

Published December 10, 2019

Uteco and Kodak have just announced that they sold the first UTECO Sapphire EVO W product production inkjet press designed for flexible packaging. The “W” refers to “Wide” since this press has a 1250 mm (49 in.) width. The EVO W is the first press to be powered by the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology. The press supports a higher resolution of 600 x 1800 dpi at up to 150 mpm (492 fpm). Overall productivity can be 4X over existing digital solutions.

Alwan’s Elie Khoury on Extended Color Gamuts

Published December 4, 2019

Elie Khoury, President of Alwan Color Expertise, talks to David Zwang about extended color gamuts. The idea of expanding the color gamut of a press goes back decades, but the tools for its effective implementation were often lacking. Alwan Color Expertise is working to develop standards to help make extended gamut printing consistent and reliable.

Enfocus Addresses the Needs of Niche Printing Markets

Published December 3, 2019

Wim Fransen, Managing Director of Enfocus, talks to David Zwang about the proliferation of niche printing markets—commercial, labels, textiles, wide format, vehicle graphics, etc.—and how they all share many of the same underlying challenges. Enfocus has been seeking to develop specific configurations of its flagship PitStop software to address the individual needs of these vertical markets.

Articles by David Zwang