Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Production Inkjet Evolution: HP Preprint Corrugated

Published May 23, 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 HP preprint corrugated.

Trends in Book Manufacturing

Published May 18, 2023

People are continuing to read and actually reading more, but there are still challenges. David Zwang talks with Matt Baehr, Executive Director of the Book Manufacturing Institute, about what the future holds for the book manufacturing industry.

Gil Studios Goes Beyond the Bumper Sticker

Published May 17, 2023

David Zwang talks to Paula Bair, Head of R&D for Gil Studios, a printer that services the promotional products industry, producing decals, stickers, posters, and magnets, as well as political signage. Founded in 1934 by Forest Gil—who invented the bumper sticker!—the company today utilizes virtually every printing technology.

Kodak's Journey in the Evolution of Production Inkjet

Published May 16, 2023

Kodak was the pioneer in production inkjet, and Randy Vandagriff has been there from the beginning. He talks to David Zwang about the evolution of production inkjet and shares his perspective of both Kodak's and the industry's journey.

Production Inkjet Evolution: Kodak

Published May 16, 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 Kodak.

Introduction to Rob Welford President of Xeikon

Published May 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Rob Welford, the newly appointed President of Xeikon. Welford comes from a long background in technology and R&D and has an interesting vision for Xeikon.

HP’s Nimrod Cohen on the Offset-to-Digital Transition

Published May 15, 2023

In this video sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with Nimrod Cohen, Head of Product Marketing for HP’s Commercial Division, about the offset-to-digital transition—not just in terms of volumes, but in terms of value.

Heidelberg: Game-Changing “Push to Stop” Flexo Carton Press

Published May 9, 2023

The new Heidelberg Boardmaster is the fastest and most productive flexo folding carton press in the market. It is the only industrial flexo press that is designed for zero changeover downtime. This is attributable to the Boardmaster Non-Stop Print Deck technology in conjunction with the Intellimatch precision scanning system, creating the first Push to Stop flexo folding carton press.

Heidelberg Develops Game-Changing Flexo Web Folding Carton Press

Published May 9, 2023

Matthias Boog, managing director of Heidelberg Web Carton Converting, discusses how Heidelberg developed the game-changing Boardmaster “Push to Stop” flexo folding carton press.

Heidelberg Flexo Folding Carton Press Breaks New Boundaries

Published May 9, 2023

Michael Pfaff, VP of Heidelberg US Web Carton Converting, discusses the opportunities and challenges of bringing a unique new press to the market: the game-changing Boardmaster “Push to Stop” flexo folding carton press.

HP Introduces New PrintOS Software Suite

Published May 4, 2023

In this interview, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks to Peter Obradovic, Director, HP Industrial Software Solutions about the new HP PrintOS suite. HP PrintOS software is used by thousands of HP Industrial Print users. This new cloud-based suite now consists of four Power Packs, each concentrating on specific application requirements.

Production Inkjet Evolution: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Published April 18, 2023

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings and how they were being, or could be, used. Since then, I have been following them through their drupa 2008, 2012, and 2017 journey. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon—after a seven-year forced hiatus—it’s time to take another look at how production inkjet has evolved, where it is used, and where we can expect it to go. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers, customers, and their journeys.

HP PageWide Industrial’s Annette Friskopp on Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published April 10, 2023

David Zwang talks to Annette Friskopp of HP PageWide Industrial about her impressions of her first Hunkeler Innovationdays.

HP PageWide’s Nachum Korman on Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 30, 2023

David Zwang talks to Nachum Korman, General Manager of HP PageWide Industrial, about his impressions of this year’s Hunkeler Innovationdays.

Xeikon’s Monika Olbricht on the Xeikon SX30000

Published March 29, 2023

David Zwang talks to Monika Olbricht, Global Vice President of Sales for Xeikon, about Xeikon’s SX30000, the company’s flagship digital press. Although it was introduced two years ago, Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023 was the first international show at which the press was exhibited.

Stefan Steinle on Fujifilm’s Integrated Inkjet Solutions

Published March 28, 2023

David Zwang talks with Stefan Steinle of Fujifilm Integrated Inkjet Solutions Group about how Fujifilm integrates its inkjet heads and other inkjet technologies into a variety of production environments.

Miyakoshi’s Masahiko Kamei on the Japanese Printing Market

Published March 27, 2023

David Zwang talks to Masahiko Kamei of Miyakoshi about the current state of the printing industry and the market for print in Japan.

Canon’s Francis McMahon on “Leaving the Industry a Better Place”

Published March 27, 2023

David Zwang talks to Francis McMahon of Canon Solutions America about the need for printing industry veterans to “leave the industry a better place” and help prepare the next-generation of industry leaders to take over.

Kyocera Takes the Fast Track to Industrial Print with the Acquisition of NIXKA

Published March 23, 2023

Kyocera’s intention is clear: they are moving into the production print industry, and while they may be new to this market, NIXKA isn’t. They actually have 30 years of expertise in developing ink and material jetting solutions, with an impressive track record. This acquisition should help fast track them to their intention.

Andrew Bailes-Collins on Ultimate TechnoGraphics’ Extensive Software Portfolio

Published March 23, 2023

David Zwang talks to Andrew Bailes-Collins, Head of Product Management for Ultimate TechnoGraphics, at Hunkeler Innovationdays about the company’s extensive software solutions for prepress processes such as imposition, tiling, ganging, and nesting, as well as binding automation.

Davy Verstaen and Tomas Van Rossom on Enfocus Software

Published March 22, 2023

David Zwang talks to Davy Verstaen and Tomas Van Rossom of Enfocus about the company’s flagship products PitStop and Switch and how they fit into the overall print production ecosystem.

Smithers’ Sean Smyth on Inkjet Production Workflow

Published March 22, 2023

David Zwang talks to Smithers’ Sean Smyth at the recent Hunkeler Innovationdays about the evolution of inkjet printing and the focus away from print engines and more toward workflow and software.

HP Indigo Doubles Down on Digital Flexible Packaging with the 200K

Published March 21, 2023

Now that the market for digital production of flexible packaging is starting to take hold, HP has developed the next generation of product that builds on the expertise gained with the 25K as well as their other products and technologies.

Ricoh’s Mark Little on Automation

Published March 21, 2023

David Zwang talks to Ricoh’s Mark Little about automation, integration, and the entire print production ecosystem.

Canon Solutions America’s Francis McMahon on Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 21, 2023

David Zwang talks to Canon Solutions America’s Francis McMahon about his impressions of what was on display at the recent Hunkeler Innovationdays.

Ulbe Jelluma on Print Power

Published March 20, 2023

David Zwang talks to Ulbe Jelluma, managing director of Print Power. Print Power is an initiative started by European paper manufacturers in response to the surge of digital advertising that emphasizes to advertisers and marketers the value of print media.

Marco Boer on Inkjet Printing at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 16, 2023

David Zwang talks to Marco Boer of IT Strategies at Hunkeler Innovationdays about the current state of production inkjet printing.

Martijn Eier on the Growth of Cloudprinter

Published March 16, 2023

David Zwang talks to Cloudprinter founder Martijn Eier about Cloudprinter’s offerings and the company’s growth over the past few years.

Jennifer Kolloczek on Canon at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 15, 2023

David Zwang talks to Canon’s Jennifer Kolloczek about the vast array of equipment that Canon was showing at the recent Hunkeler Innovationdays.

SPC’s Adam LeFebvre at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 14, 2023

David Zwang talks to Adam LeFebvre, president of Specialty Print Communications, about his first time attending Hunkeler Innovationdays and his impressions of the event.

Meet New thINK President Lori Messina

Published March 14, 2023

David Zwang talks with thINK’s Eric Hawkinson and Access Direct’s Lori Messina, the new president of thINK, about the organization and her involvement with it.

Ricoh at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published March 9, 2023

David Zwang talks to Ricoh’s Mike Herold about the equipment that Ricoh was showing at Hunkeler Innovationdays last week in Luzerne, Switzerland.

Hunkeler Innovationdays: Innovation and Excitement

Published March 7, 2023

Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023 was a resounding success for the partners, the attendees, and the industry at large. The theme of the event was Next Level Automation and it was displayed in every solution on display at the event. Importantly, it is also a sign that the industry as a whole is on the right track.

Hunkeler’s Hans Gut on Smart Logistics Solutions

Published March 2, 2023

David Zwang talks to Hans Gut, Chief Marketing Officer for Hunkeler, about the company’s new Smart Logistics Solutions, which helps to quickly move on-demand printed materials, such as book blocks, from press to finishing equipment, tracking and monitoring where each job is and where it’s going.

Hunkeler’s Hans Gut on Digital Web Finishing

Published March 1, 2023

David Zwang talks to Hans Gut, Chief Marketing Officer for Hunkeler, about digital web finishing. Hunkeler’s digital web finishing products initially served the transactional print market and has expanded into book production, launching next-generation solutions for automated book block production.

Hunkeler’s Patrick Treyer on the Cut-Sheet Finishing Market

Published February 28, 2023

David Zwang talks with Patrick Treyer, Area Sales Director for Hunkeler, about Hunkeler’s recent introductions for the cut-sheet finishing market including DocuTrim, a new line supporting the transactional and transformational markets that features dynamic perforating.

Hunkeler’s Matthias Anaheim on Next Level Automation

Published February 28, 2023

David Zwang talks with Matthias Annaheim, Head of Marketing for Hunkeler, about the theme of this year’s Hunkeler Innovationdays: Next Level Automation, and how Hunkeler equipment needs to connect to a variety of different systems often within a single printing plant.

Hunkeler’s New CEO Daniel Erni Shares the Company’s Vision for the Future

Published February 27, 2023

David Zwang talks to Daniel Erni, Hunkeler’s new CEO, about his new position and the company’s vision for the future. The emphasis for finishing equipment manufacturers is on logistics, making it easy to integrate with different printing processes.

The New Fiery Is Not Really New, but It Is More Nimble

Published February 14, 2023

David Zwang talks with Toby Weiss, CEO of Fiery. Fiery is now a standalone company, with lots of opportunity and an established management and team. Toby Weiss speaks about the change and looks at the future.

New Challenges and Approaches to Packaging Workflows—Part Three

Published February 14, 2023

The integration of analog and digital equipment can provide lots of opportunities but also challenges in plant optimization. Workflows, especially front office and plant for packaging operations, have to address many complexities not found in commercial printing workflows.

Workflow Integration Is In Demand

Published February 13, 2023

David Zwang talks to Tom Peire, CEO of Four Pees, about how, as print and packaging continue on the journey toward a more automated and connected value chain, integration and support are key.

Off-the-Shelf Software Is No Solution: How to Customize a Software Solution That Solves Your Workflow Needs

Published February 6, 2023

With the shifting market directions of procurement and print production there is a lot to be learned about the new requirements, processes, and pain points of the customer base. Building a “one size fits all” solution will usually fall short of those goals. Ultimately the solution needs to fit the specific needs of a PSP and their customer and partner relationships.

New Challenges and Approaches to Packaging Workflows—Part Two

Published January 31, 2023

More printing companies are finding opportunities in packaging production as more targeted and shorter packaging production runs increase and new digital tools help reduce the skill sets required. However, many are finding that different production tools and workflows as well as new processes are required to optimize and succeed.

EFI and Fiery Transform for Opportunities and Growth

Published January 31, 2023

EFI and Fiery have been one company under Siris Capital for a while now, and the time has come to let each of them grow to their individual potential. David Zwang talks to Jeff Jacobson, former CEO of EFI and now the Executive Chairman of both companies, about how he will help support the new growth.

New Challenges and Approaches to Packaging Workflows—Part One

Published January 24, 2023

Since there is an increasing shift of consumers from large global brands to smaller local/regional brands, so is the amount of disparate packaging required. However, while the diversity of needs commercial print are feeling the pressures, packaging adds many other level of complexities.

Lithec’s Clyde Tillman on Color Control Systems

Published January 17, 2023

David Zwang talks with Clyde Tillman of Lithec about the company’s 25-year-history in developing color control systems primarily for packaging systems. Six years ago, Lithec introduced LithoFlash, an in-press color control system for offset presses.

Hunkeler Innovationdays: A Unique and Important Event

Published January 17, 2023

Hunkeler Innovationdays is not really an expo as you might expect, but is instead a unique gathering and presentation of complete digital print and finishing workflows. There are no expos or other events like this that provide the latest in digital printing and finishing equipment, in live and running complete multi-vendor end to end workflows.

Corrugated Goes Hybrid

Published January 10, 2023

The demand for shorter runs is increasing, driven by consumer market shifts across the packaging landscape. However, justifying the cost of digital corrugated production per package/box, when the ink cost is almost 10X the cost of flexo ink, and close to equal with the media in some cases, is difficult unless there is some added value or a more efficient solution.

For Gallus, New Leader Brings New Approach to the Future

Published January 3, 2023

Today, Gallus and Heidelberg, after some difficulties in the past, are affirming their roles as “natural relatives” to create the innovation and solution which benefit their customers and the industry as a whole.

Giving: What Goes Around Comes Around

Published December 16, 2022

As things start to wind down for a little while, many of us step back, think about new year’s resolutions, and take a look at what we do, how we got here, and where can we go in the future. Those reflections, in some cases, also remind us that perhaps life is really about the rewards of giving.

Time to Thrive: Digital Labels and Packaging Will Continue to Grow

Published December 14, 2022

David Zwang recaps the year in labels and packaging, with a look at notable product releases, and the continued growth of digital labels and packaging.

Bobst oneLabel Inkjet/Hybrid Press Finds Wide Acceptance in N.A. Market

Published December 13, 2022

David Zwang talks to Matt Bennett, Bobst's General Mgr. Label and Mid Web Business NA, about how Bobst has found the sweet spot between digital and flexo for label production, and how the market acceptance has been encouraging.

Bobst Is Bringing Inkjet Into Their Analog Mix

Published December 13, 2022

Bobst has taken a measured approach to entering the digital print fray. Mr. Bobst often states that he prefers to wait for market entry until he has products that are deserving of the Bobst name and will deliver against the high expectations customers have about the company. While initially they offered a few all digital devices, Bobst has now started to integrate their inkjet print technology into their analog product line.

Celebrating 10 Years: David Zwang Chats with BookBaby’s James Foley

Published December 12, 2022

BookBaby is a publishing services provider for independent, small and self-publishers. The company is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2022. David Zwang spoke with President James Foley.

BookBaby Is the Democratization of Publishing

Published December 12, 2022

With the rise of the digital generation and social media, BookBaby has created the perfect role in the publishing and promoting of independent content creators. David Zwang talks with President James Foley as the company celebrates its 10th anniversary.

WCD’s Karen Brookman Talks About Personalized On-Demand Printing

Published December 5, 2022

David Zwang talks with WCD’s Karen Brookman. WCD is a 70-year-old family owned digital printing and information management company based in Calgary, Alberta. The company offers a broad range of services, from document management and scanning to digital printing and signage. The company is focused on commerce and personalized on-demand print.

The 144-Year-Old Anstadt Company Expands Its Digital Fleet with HP Indigo

Published December 1, 2022

David Zwang talks talks with Matt Doran of The Anstadt Company. Founded in 1878, the company is a fifth-generation family-owned commercial print business that has expanded and diversified. It has been shedding its offset equipment in favor of HP Indigo Digital Presses.

DIY Integration: The Secret to Operational Success

Published November 29, 2022

The print service provider, their suppliers, and their customers are all a part of a value chain ecosystem, and as such their individual processes need to be aligned and bridged with each other for maximum operational benefit. As a result many of the more successful PSPs have tailored their workflow systems to their specific needs, usually using a modular Lego-like logic.

Shutterfly’s Dwayne Black on the HP Indigo 100K

Published November 28, 2022

David Zwang talks with Dwayne Black, COO of Shutterfly. Founded in 1999, Shutterfly started out producing 4x6-inch prints, then expanded into cards, photo books, and gifts, and now can produce whatever the customer wants to personalize. The company has installed more than 30 HP Indigo 100K Digital Presses.

One Touch Point Addresses Industry Challenges with HP Indigo

Published November 16, 2022

David Zwang talks with Chris Greene, COO of One Touch Point, a print marketing company offering direct mail printing, marketing materials, and grand-format, as well as digital marketing services. Their printing equipment runs the gamut from offset duplicators to the latest digital printing technologies. One Touch Point has worked extensively with HP Indigo, which has helped them address their business challenges.

Corefact Grows Its Direct Mail Business with HP Indigo Presses

Published November 14, 2022

David Zwang talks to Corefact’s Christopher Burnley. Corefact was founded in 2005 as a company selling analytics software to the real estate industry. They added direct mail printing capabilities to help build the software business and then began growing the print business, specializing in variable-data printing and some transactional. The company now has locations in California and Kentucky.

Three-Year-Old Start-Up Print-Hub Expands into Commercial Printing

Published November 9, 2022

David Zwang talks to Sammy Shehadeh, President of Print-Hub, a printing company founded three-and-a-half-years ago out of hospitality and real estate businesses that needed printing, had difficulty finding a printer, so decided to start a print business to serve their own needs. They soon started printing for other customers and has since acquired another print business to expand their capabilities.

Ricoh Releases the Dragon: The Ricoh Pro Z75 Goes Into Beta

Published November 8, 2022

Even with Ricoh’s background in inkjet and cutsheet digital toner press manufacturing, developing a reliable larger format cutsheet industrial press takes a lot of research, testing, and time. With the Ricoh Pro Z75, this new B2+ press may really be a game changer.

Julie Watson on Ultimate TechnoGraphics’ Workflow Automation Solutions

Published November 3, 2022

David Zwang talks to Julie Watson, CEO of Ultimate TechnoGraphics, about the post-pandemic uptick in interest in workflow automation, the factors driving that interest, and Ultimate’s portfolio of automation solutions.

Mark Little on Ricoh’s Customer-Centric Approach

Published November 2, 2022

David Zwang talks to Mark Little, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, for Ricoh about Mark’s new role at Ricoh as a liaison between the company and its customers, helping customers identify specific desired outcomes and what solutions would bring about those outcomes.

Robert Stabler on Koenig & Bauer and Durst’s Joint Venture into Corrugated Printing

Published October 31, 2022

At PRINTING United, David Zwang talks to Robert Stabler, managing director of Koenig & Bauer Durst about the joint venture between Koenig & Bauer and Durst to build single-pass inkjet presses for the corrugated printing market.

Hybrid Software Group at PRINTING United

Published October 26, 2022

David Zwang talks to Hybrid Software Group CEO Mike Rottenborn about the evolution and growth of the company. Hybrid Software Group is one company with six operating businesses—Hybrid Software, Global Graphics, ColorLogic GmbH, iC3D, Xitron, and Meteor Inkjet—which serve predominantly, but not exclusively, packaging end users and OEMs.

Folding Carton Production: Only for Converters?

Published October 13, 2022

David Zwang talks to HP Indigo Folding Carton Category Manager Glen Adams about how folding carton is the next big opportunity for digital print providers. This is a great interview to learn some of the basics!

Hybrid, Crossover, and Bespoke: Have It Your Way!

Published October 11, 2022

Print technology and production methods have been changing along with the changing market requirements. All of this coupled with the “can do nature” of print and packaging service providers, continues to push technology and equipment manufacturers in new ways. David Zwang looks at how new modular component production solutions can be integrated and combined with almost all printing technologies including digital, offset, flexo, screen, and inkjet.

Product Spotlight: Canon imagePRESS V1000 Checks All the Boxes!

Published October 10, 2022

Designing a digital press for today’s market requirements can be a challenge. Canon’s latest production digital press is the result of years of customer feedback and engineering ingenuity. It focuses on productivity, cost control, automation, quality, and ease of use, individually and collectively.

Koenig & Bauer Update…And Have They Been Busy!

Published October 6, 2022

David Zwang talks to Koenig & Bauer President and CEO Killian Renschler and Sr. VP Marketing and Product Management Eric Frank. Koenig & Bauer has been a powerhouse equipment manufacturer in the commercial print and packaging market for over a century. Through all of the changes, they have managed to keep very relevant and even thrive. Renschler and Frank talk about what the company has been working on.

TLMI’s Linnea Keen on the Resilience of the Label and Packaging Industry

Published October 6, 2022

David Zwang talks with Linnea Keen, President of Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI), a North American association of about 300 label and packaging converters, printers, and suppliers. Like the label and packaging industry in general, TLMI is growing and seeking to add new members in the flexible packaging area.

Gallus One: Gallus and Heidelberg Go Full-On Digital

Published October 4, 2022

The integration of Gallus into Heidelberg is beginning to show impressive returns, starting with the Labelfire 340 hybrid press and now the Gallus One digital all-in-one label press, a jointly developed press and ecosystem. This new press is designed for the industry’s digital future and the new normal.

Calyx Containers Specializes in Childproof Containers

Published October 4, 2022

Rob Bullen, Label Production Manager for Calyx Containers, talks to David Zwang at the recent Labelexpo Americas show. Calyx Containers specializes in producing square childproof containers for the cannabis industry—they make the container via injection molding, print labels, and ship them to customers. The company has HP Indigo digital printing equipment, as well as digital embellishment and laser cutting capabilities. Calyx is looking to expand into other markets.

Karstedt Partners Acquired by Keypoint Intelligence

Published September 28, 2022

Kevin Karstedt talks to David Zwang about the history of packaging consultancy Karstedt Partners, which helps companies bring new and disruptive technologies to the market. They work with OEMs as well as brands and businesses throughout the label and packaging supply chain. It was recently announced that Karstedt Partners was acquired by Keypoint Intelligence.

Labelexpo Americas 2022 Part 2: The Rise of Digital

Published September 27, 2022

Labelexpo cemented the reality that digital is very much on the rise and at lightning speeds. The digital equipment is getting more sophisticated and, more importantly, productive. Digitalization is what will provide the platform for the new normal.

Brook+Whittle Looks to Expand Digital Printing, Embellishments

Published September 27, 2022

David Zwang talks to Jeremy Letterman, COO of Brook+Whittle, a Guilford, Conn.-based prime label printer with 15 locations across the US. They specialize in pressure sensitive and shrink labels as well as flexible packaging, operating a mix of digital (mostly HP), flexo, and rotogravure equipment. Letterman attended Labelexpo Americas to investigate the latest digital label printing technologies, and especially embellishments.

Cambridge Label’s Digital Transformation

Published September 22, 2022

Deanne Sinclair of Cambridge Label talks to David Zwang at last week’s Labelexpo. A family business founded in 1998 and based in Cambridge, Ont., Cambridge Label is a trade label business specializing in pressure sensitive labels and shrink sleeves. The company started with flexo equipment and in 2013 ventured into digital to take advantage of the short- to mid-size label market.

Cor Label Hits the Ground Running

Published September 21, 2022

David Zwang talks to Cor Label’s Bryan Dolbow at last week’s Labelexpo. Cor Label was founded in August 2020 “from scratch,” the founders having no background in the label business. Armed with an HP Indigo 6K and a finisher, the company produces labels, flexible packaging, and shrink sleeves for customers in the nutraceutical and craft brewing markets in North, Central, and South America.

Labelexpo Americas 2022 Part 1: The Times Are Changing

Published September 20, 2022

The level of excitement mirrored the general mood of the industry, and “we’re back but different” was the underlying theme of this event. The takeaway was there is no turning back and rapid change is the new normal, with digitalization as the lifeblood of the infrastructure.

Wholesale Printer Sinalite Supercharges Printers

Published September 20, 2022

Sinalite’s Mike Meshkati talks with David Zwang at last week’s Labelexpo Americas. Sinalite is a family-run wholesale printer founded in 1999. In their 100,000-sq.ft. facility, they offer commercial printing, signage, labels, apparel—“the whole Amazon of printing.”

Fiery Preflight Pro: Troubleshooting Jobs “Within” the Workflow

Published September 19, 2022

EFI Fiery DFEs have been driving digital printers for over 30 years. As the digital printers and the market requirements they serve change, there is a need to bring more automated preflight to the production floor to ensure process consistency, EFI has ensured that their DFE meets those challenges with their customers in mind. This includes the newly released Fiery Preflight Pro, available for Fiery FS500 Pro and newer servers.

HP Pagewide T700i Packaging Press: A Lot More than Corrugated Preprint

Published September 19, 2022

HP has announced a new PageWide packaging press that has a print width that fits nicely between their existing T400 and T1100 series presses corrugated preprint presses. However, the new T700i is designed for more than just corrugated preprint.

Customers Drive Design Requirements for New HP PageWide Advantage Platform

Published September 14, 2022

Yale Goldis, Director Commercial Strategy & Products, HP PageWide Industrial, discusses customer requirements and how this can translate into new developments and requirements for the new HP PageWide Advantage platform.

Development Drivers for the New HP PageWide Advantage Platform

Published September 13, 2022

Barbara McManus, R&D Director for HP PageWide Industrial, offers some background to the development of the new HP PageWide Advantage Platform, and discusses the drivers that led to the creation of the new platform.

HP Introduces the Advantage Inkjet Platform and It’s Brilliant!

Published September 8, 2022

In 2006, HP commercialized its “Scalable Printing Technology,” and in 2008 they introduced the PageWide T300 production inkjet press. Now, 14 years later, with the benefit of a lot of company and customer experience, they are introducing a newly designed high performance press platform.

HP Introduces New PageWide Advantage Platform

Published September 8, 2022

HP PageWide Global Head and GM Annette Friskopp talks with David Zwang about the introduction of HP's new PageWide Advantage 2200 platform.

Smart Retail: AI in the Produce Section

Published August 16, 2022

David Zwang looks at the rise of retail locations featuring checkout-free virtual cashiers. Convenience or “Big Brother”?

IPG Expands from Publishing and Distribution into Printing

Published August 9, 2022

Joe Matthews, CEO of Independent Publishers Group, talks to David Zwang. IPG is a 50-year-old, family-owned book distribution business, the first to bring an alliance of small publishers together to act like one big publisher. IPG also operates two publishing companies: Chicago Review Press, which publishes adult nonfiction, and Triumph Books, which publishes sports titles. They recently added a print manufacturing facility which has become their biggest profit center.

Freedom Graphic Systems’ Migration to Digital

Published August 8, 2022

Eric Blohm, President of Freedom Graphic Systems, talks to David Zwang at the recent thINK Forum. Founded in 1986, Freedom is a data-driven direct marketing company serving the financial services, insurance, telecom, and health care industries. The company has been primarily litho printing with inline inkjet imprinting, but has been migrating to digital.

Impact’s Scott Williams on Improving Efficiency

Published August 4, 2022

David Zwang talks to Scott Williams, Director of Workflow Automation and Systems at Impact Mailing, a 40-year-old, 200-employee, family-owned business that specializes in direct mail, as well as transactional printing and pick-and-pack. The company is 100% digital, built around a Canon platform. As Director of Workflow Automation and Systems, Williams looks for ways to improve efficiency—whether that be new equipment, improved processes, new software, etc.

InfoIMAGE Looks to Expand into Direct Mail

Published August 3, 2022

Christine Esparza, VP of Operations of InfoIMAGE talks with David Zwang at the recent thINK Forum. InfoIMAGE offers printed and electronic transactional materials for banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. The 38-year-old company has two facilities, in California and Texas, and 120–150 employees. She is attending the thINK Forum to help the company branch into color direct mail printing.

Bobst Going Private to Focus on the Future

Published August 2, 2022

Going private again, and being in a position to select and negotiate any financing needs beyond what JBF Finance SA can provide on its own, should minimize and streamline the undue reporting burdens of a public company, and allow Bobst to innovate and focus on the company’s present and future.

JPS Graphics’ Hunter Johnson on the Transition to Inkjet

Published July 28, 2022

Hunter Johnson, CEO, JPS Graphics talks with David Zwang at last week’s thINK Forum. JPS Graphics is a third-generation printer that specializes in book printing and kitting for learning organizations. Originally an offset shop, the company only recently added digital printing and last year added their first production inkjet machine.

Jeff Alexander of Alexander's Print Advantage at the Canon thINK Forum

Published July 27, 2022

Jeff Alexander, President of Alexander's Print Advantage, talks with Dave Zwang. Founded in 1979 as a retail copy center, the company gradually evolved into a trade printer producing one-off books, invitations, etc. Alexander’s Print Advantage has developed an automated system for onboarding customer orders.

Product Spotlight: Canon Press Automation Modules—Optimizing and Simplifying Printing

Published July 19, 2022

With the aging out of skilled labor in the print and packaging industry, engaging and training new hires in the intricacies of print is becoming a problem. David Zwang looks at Canon’s Press automation modules, which can simplify the process while optimizing quality and productivity for new and even older digital presses.

Web 2 Pack: Opportunities Exist…But Is It for Everything?

Published July 19, 2022

There is a growing increase in orders for short-run on-demand packaging to satisfy shifting consumer purchasing requirements and operate at the “speed of retail.” However, while there are opportunities, there are many complexities not seen in commercial print that require a level of expertise not necessarily found in the producers’ kitchen, basement, or garage.

Industry 4.0: Bringing Intelligence to Workflow One Step at a Time

Published June 28, 2022

Industrial revolutions have been driving global change for centuries, and one thing is certain: they will continue to happen at an increasingly rapid rate. As an industry, we have a way to go, but to succeed you need to look at the transformation process as a journey and not expect to do it all at once.

Heidelberg Gallus Begins to Offer its Screeny Silkscreen Program, for Non-Gallus Flexo Presses

Published June 27, 2022

Heidelberg Gallus has a long running program that offers silkscreen creation services as well as equipment and consumables for silkscreen creation on their flexo presses. Heidelberg has now opened up that program to the owners of competitors' presses as well.

ePAC introduces "Connected Packaging"

Published June 16, 2022

David Zwang talks to Carl Joachim, Partner at ePAC, which is continuing their substantial growth globally to support the increased need for flexible packaging—and have also introduced "Connected Packaging."

Articles by David Zwang