The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA), the international community dedicated to scientific research and technical innovation in graphic communications, celebrates the success of its 78^th Annual Technical Conference, TAGA NextGen 2026. TAGA conferences are a key forum for industry leaders, researchers and scientists to share the latest research and developments in current and emerging technologies impacting the print and graphic communication industry while connecting with the next generation of leaders from TAGA student chapters at universities.

Delivered virtually in two parts, the first three days, March 17-19, 2026, the TAGA NextGen 2026 technical program featured twenty presentations, exploring cutting-edge research as well as presentations addressing issues faced by many printing professionals every day. The presentations included diverse topics ranging from expanded color gamut (ECG) printing as an alternative to spot colors, the top 10 challenges for print quality managers, improving metallic ink measurement, advancing color matching between displays, refining cutting table estimation times and even a NASA-collaborated study on printing for and in space. Recordings of all the conference presentations are available for review.

Birgit Plautz, TAGA President, noted, “We were impressed by both the range and depth of the technical papers presented this year. While many were highly technical, they all addressed real-world challenges – even when it is about printing in space – and make print more efficient, accurate and sustainable.” Proceedings are published annually in both print and digital format. The Proceeding book for the 2026 conference is expected to be published by Q3 2026. Printed copies of TAGA Proceedings are available for order.

The conference concluded on April 15, 2026, with the student chapter competition and award program. TAGA values students as the future leaders of our industry, empowering them with the respect and opportunities that reflect this status. Members of eight TAGA Student Chapters presented their work in competition for several competitions including the coveted Helmut Kipphan Cup, showcasing their abilities in areas including technical writing, design, and production. For the Kipphan Cup competition, the chapters enter in any of seven unique categories, with individual prizes awarded in each category. The winner of the Kipphan Cup is selected from the best three scores from any participating chapter.  

Student chapters from Ball State, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), Ferris State University, Clemson University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) participated in the 2026 competition. Awards went to TMU in the category of Technical Paper Publication, RIT for Review of Existing Technologies, Cal Poly for Journal Design, Illinois State and TMU tied for Packaging Production, Cal Poly for Journal Publication production, Clemson for Website Design with Illinois State winning the T-Shirt Design and Production. The Students’ Choice Award, where the student chapters recognize the work of their peers, was awarded to UW-Stout for their package production. The overall winner of the 2026 Helmut Kipphan Cup was Toronto Metropolitan University who were awarded the cup in a surprise live during the awards presentation by Birgit Plautz who flew up to TMU to deliver the cup.

Winner of the 2026 Helmut Kipphan Cup was Toronto Metropolitan University.

For excellence in research papers, Umme Abiha from TMU was awarded the Harvey Levenson Undergraduate Student Paper award, and Kanishka Sahu from Rochester Institute of Technology received the Dusty Rhodes Graduate Student Paper Award.

“The students continue to excel in design, production, research, and innovation,” said Mark Bohan, TAGA Immediate Past President. “It was impressive to see the diversity of approaches across the chapters, with fresh ideas and distinct solutions emerging around similar challenges. The addition of two new chapters this year further underscores the strength of the program and brought valuable new perspectives to the competition.”

The TAGA NextGen conference would not be possible without the support of sponsors who understand the importance of this program, support TAGA’s work and especially for supporting the next generation of technology leaders in our industry. Sponsors include Canon U.S.A., FUJIFILM, GMG, Heidelberg, HP, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Rods and Cones, and Sun Chemical.

Birgit Plautz concludes “TAGA NextGen is more than a conference — it’s a platform where research, industry, and the next generation come together to shape the future of our field. That collaboration is what will keep our industry moving forward.”

The 2027 TAGA NextGen program will take place in Cincinnati, March 15-18, 2027. To learn more about TAGA and its programs, visit taga.org.