If there is one thing that OEMs learned this year, it’s that technology launches need to be planned around customers, not around trade events. Many with plans to launch equipment in June found themselves dancing in place when drupa was postponed until 2021 [note that last week it was announced that drupa had been canceled and will be held as a virtual event]. Some decided to launch early (before June), but many decided to launch in June as if drupa had been held as scheduled, and others announced that they were waiting for the anticipated 2021 event.

For those who decided to wait, there was a valid concern that many potential customers faced business slumps due to COVID and might not be in a financial position to buy a press. Those who decided to do virtual launches found a ready audience at home with time on their hands. There are only so many TikTok challenges you can do before buckling down and planning for the future. Online events had much higher than average attendance this year and this provided an unprecedented opportunity for prepared OEMs to reach future buyers.

This article discusses the production inkjet press launches serving the document and publishing market in 2020, when they were announced, when they will be commercially available, and the related development trends. Of the seven presses launched in 2020, all but two were aimed at the commercial printing market. How they pursue commercial printing, however, differs. In our table of 2020 Production Inkjet Press Launches by release date, we see companies pursuing top quality levels using aqueous and UV inks, as well as piezo, continuous, and thermal printheads.