Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Koenig & Bauer Is Ready for drupa!

Published April 11, 2024

Koenig & Bauer is a familiar name to printers and converters, but their involvement in drupa extends beyond just manufacturing equipment. In this video, sponsored by Koenig & Bauer, David Zwang talks with Sr. VP Marketing Eric Frank.

Agfa: Reinventing and Reemerging

Published April 4, 2024

Since 1867, Agfa has been at the forefront of many technological developments in imaging. As one of the founding graphic imaging powerhouse companies, it struggled through the transition from an analog to a digital economy. However, they have redefined their core business products and structures to not just survive but to grow in this rapidly changing world.

Enhance a Colour: Masters of Complete Visual Solutions

Published April 2, 2024

Enhance a Colour is like a big toy store for anyone who produces or purchases sign and display. However, they are very particular about purchasing equipment, entering markets, and selling solutions, but they emphasize that it’s all about the consultive relationship. David Zwang talks to the owner of this unique business.

Landa Digital Print Returns to drupa to “Run More”

Published March 27, 2024

Here we are, 12 years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology, and roughly four years after initial commencement of commercial sales. Today, there are over 50 machines installed, with many more orders and some new product introductions in the pipeline. Landa Digital Print’s tagline for drupa 2024 is “Run More,” and they are supporting that with new faster and smarter press introductions.

HP Indigo’s drupa Announcements Aim to “Break the Analog to Digital Boundaries”

Published March 25, 2024

HP Indigo has not slowed down in their mission to drive the digital transition of print and packaging production. For drupa 2024, they have lots of new product announcements, all of them targeted at “Breaking the Analog to Digital Boundaries.”

Road to drupa: HP Indigo Continues Breaking Boundaries Between Digital and Offset

Published March 25, 2024

In anticipation of drupa, HP Indigo has announced new and upgraded products that focus on productivity, uptime, reliability, and cost of operation. David Zwang talks to Keren Yakolev, Head of Product and Strategy for HP Indigo.

The Digitalization of Koenig & Bauer

Published March 19, 2024

Koenig & Bauer has been a leader in the development of print and packaging equipment and solutions since 1817. In this video, sponsored by Koenig & Bauer, David Zwang talks with Sandra Wagner, VP Digitalization, about how they have always focused on optimizing their products, and are developing solutions that can optimize their customer base as well.

Müller Martini Aligning with the Future

Published March 19, 2024

Müller Martini has been slowly building their portfolio through development and acquisition. In this video, sponsored by Müller Martini, David Zwang talks with President CEO Andy Fetherman about how they have created a comprehensive process infrastructure that brings all of that equipment together to support the industry's need for automation.

Ensuring Packaging Meets Accurate Color Expectations: Remotely

Published March 19, 2024

Controlled digital proofing systems that ensure proper setup and maintenance with each of the stakeholders have a corresponding system seems to be the answer. While there were a number of systems introduced that endeavored to achieve that goal, most never seemed to be able to maintain that needed level of control across the stakeholder teams—until now.

drupa 2024: Can You Really Afford to Miss It?

Published February 20, 2024

When many in print and converting production and technologies around the globe get together, one of the discussions usually goes something like this: “How many drupa events have you been to?” or, “what was your first drupa?” There must be a good reason for that! David Zwang talks with Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf, to discuss the upcoming drupa 2024 itself and the various regional events leading up to it.

Kyocera Focusing on the In-Plant Market

Published February 20, 2024

Kyocera is focusing their inkjet solutions on the in-plant printing department market, one of their key toner customer bases. In this video, sponsored by Kyocera, David Zwang talks with Dustin Graupman, Senior Director, Ink Jet Division, and Greg Lindsey, Business Development Manager, Inkjet Division, about the progress they are making.

Are All Printers Online Printers?

Published February 14, 2024

David Zwang talks with Bernd Zipper, Founder of Zipcon, about bringing print service providers together to connect and brainstorm on how to develop new solutions, solve problems, and increase volumes and margins.

Funeral Link: An Opportunity for Print Service Providers

Published February 13, 2024

The topic of funerals doesn't usually bring thoughts of print production opportunities, but the new Funeral Link software can actually help funeral homes as well as print service providers!

Atomyx Could Change the Way We Do Print

Published February 13, 2024

Imagine a cloud-based platform that could both streamline the print business and production processes, while also reducing the skills needed to implement a plant-wide automation integration. While still in the early stages of development, that is the goal of the Atomyx platform.

Atomyx: New Cloud-Based Print Production Platform

Published February 13, 2024

Most print orders arrive from the cloud, or could even be created in the cloud. They could even go back to the cloud for a proof. Wouldn't it make sense to handle the production there and reduce the up and down data transferring? David Zwang talks with Four Pees CEO Tom Peire about Atomyx, a new cloud-based platform that could both streamline the print business and production processes.

Rules Based Workflows: Connecting and Automating Processes to Fit Your Business Needs

Published February 8, 2024

Many of the current “off the shelf” workflow software and professional service offerings are being developed to support newer and disparate technologies and markets. Ultimately, solutions need to fit the specific needs of a PSP and their customer and partner relationships, and that’s where rules based workflows shine.

State of the Cloud: Looks Like Clear Skies Ahead!

Published February 5, 2024

As the cloud rapidly emerges as a key influencing technology, the integration of business and production management solutions into cloud-based platforms has become inevitable, and things are changing fast!

AI Is What Really Drives Marketing: Now You Can Engage!

Published February 1, 2024

Marketing AI is the process of using AI capabilities like data collection, data-driven analysis, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML) to deliver customer insights and automate critical marketing decisions. In the past, this technology has been relegated to those who can afford to build it. Now Boostt.ai (formerly known as Geofactor.com), has developed a platform for bringing Marketing AI to the masses.

Miraclon Sees Encouraging 2024 for Flexo Packaging Production

Published January 23, 2024

David Zwang talks with Chris Payne, CEO of Miraclon, about the global packaging industry. While the post-pandemic effects were felt in 2022 and 2023, 2024 should bring growth, stability, and a look at the new normal.

Analyst Roundtable: Goodbye, 2023—Hello, 2024!

Published January 17, 2024

David Zwang leads a roundtable discussion with IT Strategies' Marco Boer and Smithers' Sean Smyth on the challenges the industry faced in 2023 and the opportunities 2024 will bring.

Analyst Roundtable: The Agfa Speedset 1060

Published January 16, 2024

Agfa had invested a lot in acquiring Inca and launching the new Speedset 1060. David Zwang leads a group discussion with IT Strategies' Marco Boer and Smithers' Sean Smyth about the launch and Agfa's strategy.

Agfa Focuses on Digital Print

Published January 11, 2024

As part of Agfa's rebuilding, they have put digital print as one of their top areas of focus and growth, and VP Arnaud Callega is leading the effort.

Hybrid’s Label & Packaging Solutions

Published January 11, 2024

David Zwang talks with Mike Rottenborn, CEO of The Hybrid Group, about Hybrid’s complete set of solutions for producers of label and packaging products.

Agfa Speedset 1060: A Significant Step in the Evolution of Digital Folding Carton Print

Published January 9, 2024

Agfa’s first foray into production inkjet was with the introduction of Dotrix in 2004, a product that was ahead of its time and ultimately abandoned. Their new production inkjet folding carton press seems to check all the boxes for today’s and tomorrow’s growing and evolving market.

Agfa’s Matt Brooks on the New Speedset 1060

Published January 9, 2024

David Zwang talks with Matt Brooks, head of packaging for Agfa Digital Printing Solutions, about the launch of the new Speedset 1060.

Kongsberg: A New Life, New Platform, and New Opportunities

Published December 7, 2023

Kongsberg has always been the company that set the bar on precision cutting systems. With a new platform and the acquisition of Multicam, they have an exciting future! David Zwang talks to CEO Stuart Fox.

Müller Martini and Hunkeler: Two Families Join Forces

Published December 7, 2023

Consolidations are done for many reasons including, cost reduction, wider distribution, etc. However, this merger really does take two strong companies that are leaders in their respective fields and brings them together to feed off their synergies and prepare and build for those market and production shifts

Fujifilm Expands Footprint to North America and Beyond

Published December 4, 2023

Fujifilm is a well-known brand around the globe, but their presence in NA has been limited as a result of their former relationship with Xerox. Things are changing, and to see how they are expanding their footprint to a welcoming market, David Zwang talks with Fujifilm's Scott Mackie.

Kongsberg Ultimate: Designed for Current and Future Needs

Published December 1, 2023

Kongsberg has released their latest precision digital cutting platform with a new drive and a newly designed custom carbon fiber beam. This new, innovative drive technology has an impressive acceleration rate of up to 2.74G and a remarkable and productive cutting speed of 168 meters per minute.

Highcon Has Found Its Place—and the Industry Is Thankful

Published November 27, 2023

Highcon formed before the industry fully understood the benefits of its technologies. Today, the industry is catching up and Highcon is ready and able. David Zwang catches up with Highcon CEO Shlomo Nimrodi and Regional Business Manager Simon Lewis.

Do You Really Know PRINTING United Alliance?

Published November 16, 2023

PRINTING United Alliance is a lot more than the successful expo. It is the voice of the industry, covering many areas you might not even be aware of. David Zwang talks with PRINTING United Alliance CEO Ford Bowers about their growing membership, industry activities, government lobbying efforts, and outreach.

Thought Leadership: Ricoh TotalFlow Producer

Published November 16, 2023

In this video sponsored by Ricoh, David Zwang talks with Begum Walji, Ricoh Software Product Manager, about Ricoh TotalFlow Producer, an intuitive, vendor-agnostic print-on-demand SaaS workflow technology.

Fujifilm Dimatix Is a Lot More than Production Inkjet for Print

Published November 15, 2023

Dimatix is one of the leaders in printhead manufacturing, and has been doing it for decades. Steve Billow, CEO of Fujifilm Dimatix, takes us through the scope of ink and fluid deposition.

Sharp Goes Upstream to Production Print

Published November 14, 2023

Sharp is a well-known brand in the enterprise and even some in-plant facilities. Now they are moving upstream into production print with a proven digital technology. David Zwang talks with Bob Madaio, Vice President of Marketing for Sharp, about their strategy.

Ricoh Introduces the VC80000 Continuous-Feed Printer

Published November 14, 2023

On the heels of the introduction of the Z75 B2 cut-sheet inkjet press, Ricoh has introduced the VC80000 continuous-feed press, which offers significantly new technological enhancements over the VC70000. David Zwang talks to Ricoh’s Sr. Director Global Product Management Mark Little and Program Manager Continuous Feed Inkjet Nick Fiore about this announcement.

Thought Leadership: Ricoh Total Flow Producer for Job Onboarding

Published November 9, 2023

In this video sponsored by Ricoh, David Zwang talks with Lisa Oakleaf, Ricoh’s Sr. Director of Global Software Product Management, about the company’s expansion of its SaaS-based products, including the new Ricoh Total Flow Producer for job onboarding.

New RFID System that Competes with Barcodes

Published November 7, 2023

David Zwang talks with Louis Gautier, President of Idyllic Technology, which has developed a new RFID system that can compete with barcodes with many distinct advantages. It is currently targeted at logistics, but has a place in retail and many other identification scenarios.

Product Strategy: Canon imagePRESS V Series

Published November 6, 2023

In this video sponsored by Canon, David Zwang talks with Canon Senior Marketing Manager Matthew Poliniak talks about the Canon imagePRESS V series digital press and the focus on automation in models the series.

Thought Leadership: Vicks Printing and Distribution Moves Book Production to Completely Digital

Published November 1, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Dwight Vicks, President of Vicks Printing and Distribution Services. More than 100 years old, the company has evolved from letterpress to offset, to digital, to production inkjet. Now they are poised for further growth.

Thought Leadership: Beyond the Production Workflow with Canon PRISMA

Published November 1, 2023

In this video sponsored by Canon, David Zwang talks with Karen Dimora, Sr. Specialist in Business Planning and Marketing for Canon, about Canon PRISMA workflow software, the new cloud-based platform, and the new workflow tools available.

Thought Leadership: Sun Print Solutions Shifts More Work from Offset to Production Inkjet

Published October 30, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, Jennifer Pettinger, CEO of Sun Print Solutions, talks with David Zwang. Sun Print Solutions is an 85-year-old company that produces a wide range of products, including commercial printing, direct mail, and folding cartons. The company recently upgraded to an HP PageWide T250 to expand what they can print using production inkjet.

FLEXcon's Film Portfolio

Published October 25, 2023

In this video sponsored by FLEXcon, David Zwang talks with Jodi Sawyer, Strategic Business Unit Manager at FLEXcon, about the company’s portfolio of coated and laminated films used in labels and graphics applications, as well as functional components in manufactured goods.

PRINTING United Does Not Disappoint!

Published October 24, 2023

PRINTING United Expo 2023 was a great event. Its convergence model provided an opportunity to see and consider new product expansion and convergence opportunities. There were lots of product introductions and reintroductions, even with drupa looming in the background.

Landa Digital Print Has Found the Secret to Growth

Published October 12, 2023

10+ years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology with over 40 machines installed, six installations coming up in the next three months, and right after that another dozen and more in the pipeline. In this article, sponsored by Landa, the company has found that it is more than just delivering a great press.

Canon Opens the Curtain on Two New Production Inkjet Printers

Published October 12, 2023

Today, Canon announced a sneak peek at two new production inkjet presses: the varioPRINT iX1700 cutsheet, and the LabelStream LS2000 label press. Since Canon has held the number one global position in inkjet presses for over 10 years, this is an important development and can only help ensure that they will retain that position.

Landa: Hitting Its Stride

Published October 12, 2023

Here we are, 10+ years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology, and roughly four years after initial sales commencement. Today there are over 40 machines installed, six installations coming up in the next three months, and right after that, another dozen and more in the pipeline. Sponsored by Landa, this article by David Zwang looks at the Landa Press technology, how their customer-centric support relationships are fairly unique, and why they are growing.

Alexander’s Print Advantage’s Charlie Alexander: “Growth Is Expensive”

Published October 11, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Charlie Alexander, Sales Executive at Alexander’s Print Advantage. Founded in 1979, Alexander’s is a 100% digital shop that produces photobooks, wedding invitations, yearbooks, and other products for e-commerce platforms. The company has been growing about 30% a year since 2018–2019, the pandemic notwithstanding.

Xeikon's Inkjet and Toner Product Strategy

Published October 10, 2023

Filip Weymans, Vice President at Xeikon talks with David Zwang about Xeikon's approach to using both toner and inkjet technology to build digital print devices that match the imaging technology requirements of specific print applications.

All in One vs. Hybrid: Living in Perfect Harmony

Published October 4, 2023

There aren’t a lot of all-in-one application-specific solutions that can address “all” application requirements. However, there is a lot of development among packaging press and converting machine manufacturers to address the new shifting market requirements. Ultimately application requirements can be fairly disparate, so a modular hybrid solution will undoubtedly provide the widest range of process adaptability.

At the Speed of Retail: Web-to-Pack Offers a Myriad of Opportunity and Complexity in the World of Online Consumerism

Published October 3, 2023

Orders are increasing for short-run, on-demand packaging to satisfy shifting consumer purchasing requirements. While converters and web-to-pack systems are being developed to operate at the “speed of retail,” there are many opportunities, complexities and value- added offerings not seen in commercial print.

Label Production Strategy at Xeikon

Published October 3, 2023

David Zwang talks with Robert Welford, President of Xeikon, about digital label production and Xeikon's product strategy.

Digital Labels’ HP Indigo-Driven Growth

Published October 2, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Chris Henderson, President of Digital Labels. Henderson and his partner founded the company in 2010 with an HP Indigo 6000 and has added capacity—predominantly more HP Indigos—in the years since. Digital Labels also does some flexible packaging.

Product Spotlight: PRISMAcolor Manager—On Cloud Nine

Published September 26, 2023

Canon’s PRISMA offerings include a wide range of applications and tools to help optimize print production workflows and digital printing production. These solutions have amassed over the life of PRISMA and have adapted to the changes in technology and production requirements, as their use requirements have changed significantly over the years. David Zwang takes a close look at how PRISMA has evolved, focusing especially on a recent addition to the software suite: PRISMAcolor Manager.

Today’s Graphics’ Evolution from Trade Typographer to Digital Printer

Published September 25, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Jack Glacken, CEO of Philadelphia-based Today’s Graphics. Founded 46 years ago as a trade typographer doing typesetting, the company moved into color separations, then offset printing, and is now heavily involved in digital printing, largely using HP Indigo presses.

ICYMI: LabelExpo Europe: Back Again and Going Strong!

Published September 19, 2023

LabelExpo Europe is the biggest of all the LabelExpo events, and truly a global event. There were lots of new digital, inkjet and hybrid press and converting solutions in the exhibit halls. Automation and Sustainability were the overriding and common themes.

Bennett Graphics Sees An Advantage in Production Inkjet

Published September 19, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with David Bennett, President of Bennett Graphics, about his recent installation of an HP PageWide Advantage 2200 press. The 2200 is Bennett Graphics’ first production inkjet press, and was acquired to increase capacity for the company’s growing direct mail work.

Cris Ray Printing’s Labels and Packaging Journey

Published September 18, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Joseph Marro, VP of Operations at Cris Ray Printing. Based in Farmingdale, N.Y. and founded more than 50 years ago by Farro’s grandfather, Cris Ray Printing is a longtime flexo-based label-printing shop. The company added its first HP Indigo press in 2006. In the past year and a half, the company has expanded into packaging.

Labelexpo Europe 2023 Opens in Brussels

Published September 14, 2023

David Zwang talks with Jade Grace, Managing Director of Labelexpo, about Labelexpo Europe 2023, running this week in Brussels, Belgium. Though called "Labelexpo Europe," the Brussels event is the global event for the labels and packaging market, drawing attendees from 140 countries.

Etiflex’s Ari Vonderwalde on the Flexo-to-Digital Transition

Published September 5, 2023

David Zwang talks with Ari Vonderwalde, Director General of Etiflex, a 42-year-old Mexican label printer that has expanded into many different verticals, including food, pharmaceutical, and automotive. The company has 21 flexo presses and has added three digital presses as the company transitions to digital.

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Xeikon

Published August 29, 2023

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article I look at Xeikon.

Label Source's Journey from the Basement to Production Inkjet

Published August 29, 2023

Label Source started in a basement in 1991 and has since expanded organically and through acquisition with a host of different types of printing equipment, including production inkjet. David Zwang talks with COO Michael Wrigley about the company's journey.

The Panther at Xeikon Keeps On Growing!

Published August 29, 2023

Xeikon has been developing high-resolution digital (EP) presses since 1988, They decided to dive into production inkjet in 2017. David Zwang and it has been an interesting journey. David Zwang talks with Johan Van de Velde,Inkjet Product Manager, about Xeikon's journey.

Strawbridge Studios Takes School Pictures and Yearbooks into Digital

Published August 29, 2023

David Zwang talks with Brendan Collopy of Strawbridge Studios, a 100-year-old school picture and yearbook printer. The company had been operating offset presses and has replaced them with digital equipment including a Canon Prostream 1800.

Corrugated Packaging: Designing for the Future

Published August 22, 2023

E-commerce is growing fast and needs to better focused on customers’ packaging needs. The movement and transport of product is very different for e-commerce than it is for brick-and-mortar applications. As a result, there is probably a need to have its own channel-specific solutions.

Phoenix Innovate’s Inkjet Journey from the Perspective of the Customer

Published August 22, 2023

David Zwang speaks to Chris Dubach of Phoenix Innovate about how the company and its sales reps talk with customers about production inkjet printing vs. other technologies such as offset and electrophotography.

From Broker to Printer with HP Indigo Digital Printing

Published August 22, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Dan Thompson, founder and CEO of Italic Press. Italic Press started as a print broker, but realized that to take advantage of digital printing, they needed to own the equipment. They started down their digital printing journey with HP Indigo.

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Ricoh Production Inkjet

Published August 15, 2023

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article I look at Ricoh Production Inkjet.

From Desktop Printers to Production Inkjet—What an Evolution!

Published August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Scott Fish, President of Tri-Win Direct. Launched in Fish's apartment 28 years ago with no print industry background, the company has evolved to becomea successful printing and mailing company. The company started with desktop inkjet printers and now runs Ricoh high-speed production inkjet—and keeps on going!

Ricoh’s Early Entry into Production Inkjet

Published August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Mike Herold, Director of Global Marketing for Ricoh about the the company’s production inkjet journey. It started with IBM and drop-on-demand inkjet, and Ricoh has been working on innovation and upgrades to enhance the performance and quality.

Allied Printing’s Ben Fournier at thINK

Published August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Ben Fournier of Allied Printing, a 74-year-old, third-generation family-owned commercial and direct mail printer. The company operates a variety of offset equipment and has a large digital department, which includes production inkjet equipment, for its direct mail work.

(Un)Packaging Reality Report 2023

Published August 14, 2023

RRD has completed their second annual report on the state of the packaging market. Lisa Pruett is the President of the RRD Packaging and Labels Solution group and shares some interesting insights with David Zwang of where we were and where we are going.

Reduce, Reuse, Rethink: Sustainability Isn’t a Linear Issue—It Requires a More Circular Approach

Published August 8, 2023

Printed products are varied, as are the processes used to create them. The focus on design, production, use and disposal of these products will continue to be scrutinized in the context of a circular economy as environmental pressures increase. Since print is a complex of interconnected processes, there are many areas that could be affected by sustainability efforts and the measurement of the carbon footprint. How do you measure what ‘could’ reach into every aspect of the printing business, from process, to people, to profitability?

Knight Abbey Bets on Digital Printing

Published August 8, 2023

David Zwang talks with Tonya Spiers of Knight Abbey, a 40-year-old Biloxi, Miss.-based commercial printer that produces direct mail marketing, invitations, scratch-off cards, and other materials for the gaming industry. Once primarily an offset shop with some digital equipment, it has recently expanded into rollfed inkjet with a Canon Prostream.

Impact’s Pete Studer on the Production Inkjet Transition

Published August 1, 2023

David Zwang talks with Pete Studer, CEO of Impact, a 39-year-old company that started in the direct mail business and has expanded into other types of printing. The company operates all-digital equipment, and started working with Canon in 2015 to add production inkjet.

Broadridge’s Naveed Choudry on the Transition to Inkjet

Published July 31, 2023

David Zwang talks with Broadridge’s Naveed Choudry about his 30 years with the company and Broadridge’s early adoption of production inkjet printing technology.

"Customer First": Canon Solutions America’s Ed Jansen at thINK

Published July 27, 2023

David Zwang talks to Canon Solutions America’s Ed Jansen at the recent thINK Ahead 23 conference about Canon’s “customer-first” philosophy and how it affects how they interact with customers, as well as where the company sees the growth in today’s market.

Textbook Printer/Publisher BJU Press Transitions to Inkjet

Published July 25, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with James Llewellyn, Director of Manufacturing and Distribution for BJU Press, a book printer and publisher of K-12 textbooks for home schoolers and Christian schools. The company started in 1974 with offset equipment and has recently installed an HP PageWide T485. The company has an inline printing and bookbinding workflow.

Kyocera’s Expanding Footprint

Published July 24, 2023

Kyocera’s intention is clear: they are moving into the production print industry, and while they may be new to selling inkjet presses in this market, they have 30 years of expertise in developing ink and material jetting solutions, and an impressive track record at that. In this article, sponsored by Kyocera, David Zwang looks at their recent initiatives.

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Canon Continuous Feed

Published July 18, 2023

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used, and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article, I look at the journey of the Canon continuous-feed line.

Canon's Continuous-Feed Production Print Inkjet Journey

Published July 18, 2023

Canon's production Inkjet journey started in 2004. Like many others, they saw the benefits and found the challenges along the way. David Zwang talks with Thomas Hofmann, VP of Continuous Feed Business Line at Canon Production Print, about the Canon's continuous feed inkjet evolution.

DS Graphics/Universal Wilde's Long, High-Speed, and Successful Production Inkjet Journey

Published July 18, 2023

DS Graphics has roots going back more than 125 years, but with their mix of production inkjet, toner, and offset equipment have been able to embrace the shifts in market requirements. David Zwang talks with company EVP Chris Wells about that journey and Canon’s role in it.

All State Printing’s Charles Christopher on Investing in a Digital Press in Challenging Times

Published July 17, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with All State Printing’s Charles Christopher. All State Printing is a flexible packaging printer that has been expanding into digital production—specifically, two HP Indigo 25K digital presses—to handle short-run jobs. He also offers advice for others looking to make an investment in digital equipment.

What Does It Take to Support the Printing Needs of Restaurants?

Published June 29, 2023

David Zwang talks with Keri Smith, President of Dot It. Dot It supports the restaurant industry with flexo and Xeikon digital presses. There is a lot more to supplying restaurants with print products than one could imagine!

Gallus’ Expandable Ecosystem Designed for Future Growth

Published June 27, 2023

The previously announced Gallus One digital label press is more than just an “all in one” label press, jointly developed by Gallus and Heidelberg. It is at the core of an expandable ecosystem designed for the industry’s digital future and the new normal.

Fully Digital, Fully Automated Folding Carton Producer Digital Impack to Launch This Summer

Published June 21, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with David Gerhard, Chief Marketing Officer for Digital Impack, a fully digital, fully automated folding carton start-up that plans to launch by the end of summer. The company will be using the HP Indigo 15K as their primary press.

The Label Factory’s Storm Vaske on Digital Label Printing

Published June 20, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Storm Vaske, CEO of The Label Factory. Originally a flexo label printer, the company has converted entirely to digital and is in the process of adding an HP Indigo V12.

Trigon Digipack’s Anil Namugade on Innovative Packaging Solutions

Published June 19, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Anil Namugade, Founder and Director of Trigon Digipack, about how Trigon is leveraging successful and proven platforms to build new innovative solutions for its packaging customers.

B&R Moll’s Kevin Moll on Changes in the Finishing Equipment Market

Published June 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Kevin Moll, VP of Sales of B&R Moll, a manufacturer of postpress equipment. B&R Moll has been seeing strong growth in such diverse applications as folding cartons and greeting cards.

Rootree Integrates Creative Services and Digital Flexible Packaging Production

Published June 14, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Phil St-Cyr, President of Rootree. Rootree is a flexible packaging company that offers creative services to help customers design messaging and branding as well as produce it on its fleet of HP Indigo 20000s.

Phoenix Innovate's Long and Interesting Journey with Production Inkjet

Published June 13, 2023

Phoenix Innovate and Chris Dubach have had a long and interesting journey with production inkjet. Today, it plays an important and growing role in their production platform, with lots of plans for the future! David Zwang talks with Chris Dubach about his inkjet journey.

Canon's Production Inkjet Cut-Sheet Journey

Published June 13, 2023

David Zwang talks with Saskia Willems, Product Manager for Cut Sheet at Canon Production Printing. Canon has been producing continuous-feed production inkjet products since 2008. While they had been producing cut-sheet EP presses for a while, their cut-sheet product development journey started in 2010.

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Canon Production Cut-Sheet Inkjet

Published June 13, 2023

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used, and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers and customers and document some of their journeys. In this article, I look at Canon cut-sheet production inkjet.

PressUP’s Vincenzo Cirimele on Digital Web-to-Print

Published June 12, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Vincenzo Cirimele, CEO of PressUP, a web-to-print company based in Rome. The company operates offset equipment, as well as five HP Indigo digital presses. The company is looking to expand its portfolio into packaging.

Agfa Offset Solutions Reinvents Itself as ECO3

Published June 12, 2023

David Zwang talks with Jonathan Ashton, North America President, of ECO3. ECO3 is not a new player in the market, but it now has a laser focus on offset plates, service, and software.

DSCOOP Distributed Print Exchange—Coming Soon!

Published June 12, 2023

David Zwang talks with Peter van Teeseling, Executive Director of DSCOOP, and Rick Bellamy, Executive Chairman of DSCOOP, about the forthcoming DSCOOP Distributed Print Exchange. Bringing PSPs together to share and facilitate work across regions and countries is increasingly becoming important. DSCOOP building this kind of program offers lots of opportunities for their participating members.

What’s Old Is New Again: Will Paper Really Replace Film in Flexible Packaging? The Future Borrows from the Past for Some Exciting New Ideas

Published June 8, 2023

With the increased scrutiny of plastic use in flexible packaging, there is an increased interest in moving from plastic to paper. It was once hard to make the switch, but it has been getting much easier.

Sirane’s “Ingenious” Transition from Plastic- to Paper-Based Flexible Packaging

Published June 8, 2023

It was once hard to make the switch from plastic- to paper-based flexible packaging, but it’s been getting much easier. With some ingenuity, this company not only did it but did it masterfully! David Zwang talks with Simon Balderson of Sirane Group.

DALIM Software’s New DALIM Drive at Dscoop

Published June 6, 2023

David Zwang talks with Colin Price, Managing Director, UK, for DALIM Software, about the new DALIM Drive that the co pan y was showing for the first time in the US at Dscoop.

MRM Global’s Craig Letton on Web-to-Print

Published June 6, 2023

David Zwang talks to Craig Letton, CEO of MRM Global. MRM is a marketing technology company that offers a web-to-print portal designed for sales reps in the alcohol industry to order marketing materials on demand. The reps upload content to predesigned templates which are then sent to MRM’s print partners for output.

The Whole Package: How to Turn a Product into a Purchase by Appealing to a Consumer’s Senses

Published June 6, 2023

David Zwang provides a primer on embellishment technologies for packaging applications—including why they are becoming more important than ever for brands.

Articles by David Zwang