MELBOURNE, FL – Printing Industries of America (PIA), the largest graphic arts trade association in the United States, has recognized MGI digital innovation with a 2017 InterTech Technology Award for their groundbreaking new “Intelligent and Adaptive” AIS Smartscanner registration system. This is the 3rd PIA InterTech Award that the MGI JETvarnish 3D series of print enhancement presses has received.

A History of MGI Print Innovation

MGI invented and presented the print industry’s first digital 2D UV finishing solution at the quadrennial Drupa international graphic arts exhibition in 2008 - and then the world’s first 3D UV finishing system at Drupa in 2012. The PIA recognized that achievement with a 2013 InterTech Award for the original JETvarnish 3D. In 2014, MGI launched the first “Digital Embossed Foiling” product and the PIA subsequently honored the iFOIL solution with a 2015 InterTech Award.

The AIS SmartScanner is a new JETvarnish 3D registration technology solution for enhancing offset, flexo and digital printed material. It automatically adjusts the placement of varnish and foil based on actual ink impressions and substrate characteristics (shrink, skew, stretch, etc.). It eliminates the need for registration marks and optimizes quality by treating each finished piece as a separate print job. A judge commented, “Waste is very expensive and the MGI AIS SmartScanner is an innovative way to avoid it."

Jim Workman, PIA Vice President of Technology and Research, stated, “The continued advancement of digital print finishing solutions will contribute to future growth in our industry by encouraging new business applications with both improved print quality and finishing efficiency. The AIS SmartScanner is truly an advanced integration of software and inkjet hardware.”

PIA Tradition of Graphic Arts Leadership

The Printing Industries of America (PIA) was founded in 1887 with the dawn of hot metal linotype casting. For 130 years it has represented the interests of the United States printing community. The annual InterTech Award program is the most prestigious and well-known standard of innovation in printing technology in the country. MGI will officially receive its latest InterTech Award at the PIA Premier Print Gala banquet event that is being held in conjunction with the PRINT 17 trade show.

Kevin Abergel, MGI Vice President of Marketing & Sales, stated “We are very proud to receive this award because it recognizes the significance of MGI software research and development in computer programming for inkjet synchronization technology - as well as being our 3rd InterTech for the JETvarnish 3D Series.”

Konica Minolta, MGI’s Global Business Partner, will be demonstrating the AIS SmartScanner system – as well as the entire JETvarnish 3D Enhancement Press Series - at Print 17 in Chicago from Sept. 10th – 14th (Booth #2031).