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PRINTING UNITED REVIEW 2024: LAS VEGAS
Printing United Expo 2024 in Las Vegas a huge success
From product launches to education and networking opportunities to mass sales on the show floor, this year’s expo in Las Vegas delivered in a big way.
Printing United, produced annually by Printing United Alliance, recently took place in Las Vegas with continued reports of record sales on the show floor. This year’s show drew 24,969 registered attendees, 800 exhibitors, and industry thought leaders from 115 countries, offering a blend of product launches, live demonstrations, immersive education sessions, and high-powered networking opportunities.
The three-day expo was reported to be a great success for exhibitors who showcased their newest technology. With more square feet of technology being shown than in 2023, the expo delivered for exhibitors and attendees alike at this year’s event.
“With the many concurrent events taking place, as well as 2024 being a ‘drupa year’, we were really pleased with the crowds, but even more so, with the impressive volume of equipment running live on the show floor and, not surprisingly as a result, the sales being reported,” Printing United Alliance events and exhibitions president Mark J. Subers said.
Exhibitor sentiment was at an all-time high at this year’s expo. Here are some of the highlights:
BlueCrest
BlueCrest announced its partnership with Ricoh at the tradeshow. BlueCrest provides comprehensive data-through- delivery technology solutions, changing how business is done within the postal and parcel industries.
BlueCrest mail inserters offer high-speed, accurate, and user-friendly solutions that ensure integrity by automating the mail production process, minimising the potential for errors and reducing labour costs typically associated with manual tasks and adjustments that can also slowdown workflows.
The first phase of this collaboration will add BlueCrest’s range of high-speed, highvolume inserters and sorters to Ricoh’s production print portfolio in the US, giving users more ways to automate their mail production workflows and expand their market reach with high-quality direct mail and communication materials.
In parallel, Ricoh and BlueCrest will integrate the technology platforms through software integrations to co-innovate with customers to deliver operational savings, scalability, automation and flexibility.
Canon
Canon has added its FLXflow technology to the Arizona 1300 series, which brings new productivity and performance features to the flatbed printer series. The company made this announcement at Printing United.
Previously known as FLOW technology, the new FLXflow offers not only the original ‘hold’ functionality, which helps to hold media down on the flatbed table, but also the new optional ‘float’ and ‘instant switch’ functionalities to improve media handling.
This allows Arizona users to benefit from enhanced productivity, print quality and application versatility thanks to FLXflow, a range of print modes, ease of use, workflow optimisation and UV-LED curing technology.
Catering to growing mid-volume operations, the Arizona 1300 FLXflow supports a wide variety of substrates and applications. This enables large format graphics printers and other print service providers (PSPs) to offer customers a wide range of applications for the retail, interior décor, packaging, and industrial market segments more efficiently.
Arizona 1300 FLXflow customers can also take advantage of the Advanced Image Layout Controls, which allow last-minute adjustments at the printer, giving additional flexibility when positioning substrates on the table and reducing waste of expensive materials. Productivity is further enhanced by service support tools such as PRISMAservice, which provides predictive maintenance and facilitates authorised remote assistance by qualified service technicians to increase uptime.
Customers of the current Arizona 1300 series with FLOW technology can upgrade their printer to the latest version with FLXflow technology, including the optional Float and Instant Switch functionalities.
Upgrades also include features like the Advanced Image Layout Controls. They can also add PRISMA XL Suite workflow software to provide a preview function, which allows users to see what the final product will look like before it’s printed while allowing them to make any necessary adjustments.
Available with the Arizona 1300 FLXflow is PRISMAelevate XL, which enables layered printing up to a height of 4 mm to help customers create stand-out, tactile artwork for elevated print applications that enhance and expand their product offering.
It enables customers to explore new applications, such as high-value, textured, permanent signage, product decoration, awards, décor materials and package prototyping, as well as applications for the visually impaired. As LED-UV printers, the series also consumes at least 15 per cent less energy compared with its UV-halide predecessors, and offers power-saving features such as first-time-right printing and instant-on functionality.
Its inks are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, which ensures prints are safe for use in sensitive environments such as hospitals, schools and other public places.
Durst/Vanguard
Newly-appointed Vanguard sales manager John Bryson introduced Australians to the new Harpeth print-to-cut finishing system for Vanguard machines.
Visitors to the Durst and Vanguard booth saw the new Harpeth automated printto-cut system comprised of the flagship Vanguard VK3220T-HS UV-LED flatbed printer accompanied by the in-line transport system partnered a digital cutter from Colex.
The Harpeth finishing system was named after the Harpeth River located near Nashville, Tennessee in the US.
According to Bryson the ability to automate the workflow will reduce cost and reduce media handling times for greater productivity.
“In today’s competitive landscape, efficiency is the key to success in any print business,” Bryson said.
“This Vanguard VK3220T-HS on show is configured with the auto-offloader, so it picks up the sheet and drags it off the automated table onto the Colex cutter. This Colex cutter does square cuts, detail cuts, and so on.
“The Vanguard VK3220T-HS is loaded with 15 print heads, resulting in highspeed production of a minute per board on each side. Print heads are arranged in a fashion that they print the same colour, in the same lay, in both directions.”
The Vanguard VK3220T-HS is a 3.2m by 2m machine with up to three rows of printheads. Its print speeds can reach over 353m2 per hour.
Utilising 4 picolitre drop size Kyocera printheads and a high-speed magnetic drive, there’s no compromise on speed to achieve remarkable quality. With the ability to add channels for additional speed or application potential after installation, the VK3220T-HS can grow alongside business possibilities.
EFI
Currie Group business unit manager –sign and display, Paul Whitehead, was one of the first people to experience the new EFI VUTEk M3 hybrid printer unveiled at Printing United.
The VUTEk M3h is a 3.2m hybrid flatbed/ roll-fed LED printer designed for print providers looking to make the move to higher-volume, production-level printing.
It is designed for print providers looking to make the move to higher-volume, production-level printing to reduce costs, increase margins, turn jobs faster, and differentiate their offerings with new substrates and/or applications at a lower cost.
Whitehead said the press is a “very exciting addition” to the Currie Group sign and display portfolio, and that the VUTEk M3h is well suited to the local market.
“It is perfect for the Australia and New Zealand market. It is a mid-range unit with features such as 40 boards an hour and a new inkset. Come talk to us to learn more about it,” he said.
EFI also exhibited the VUTEk Q3h XP printer at its booth. This high-speed hybrid flatbed/ roll-fed LED printer aims to offer exceptional imaging quality, flexible production-level throughput, and advanced media handling and automation options, making it a perfect solution for businesses looking to address current labour challenges and costreduction initiatives.
Several of EFI’s preferred partners also exhibited EFI wide format printers in their booths, including the new EFI Pro 16h+ hybrid LED printer and EFI Pro 30f+ flatbed LED printer, which aim to deliver high-quality imaging at production-level speeds and even more printing capabilities – all with a low total cost of ownership (TCO).
The EFI Pro+ printers, feature new high-performance EFI ProGraphics+ Series LEDcurable inks, raising the bar for entry-level, wide-format production-level printing.
Epson
The Epson SureColor S9160, which the company recently launched at Printing United in Las Vegas, will be making its way to A/NZ in mid-2025.
The machine, known as the SureColor S9170 in the US, is the first in the next generation of Epson’s SureColor S-Series eco-solvent printers.
Replacing the flagship SureColor S80600 and SureColor S80660L models, the new 64-inch SureColor S9160 aims to deliver exceptional image quality, an expanded colour gamut, productivity and a compact, user-friendly design.
The SureColor S9160 is equipped with Epson’s latest user-replaceable 2.64-inch PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead, and features an integrated temperature sensor, nozzle verification technology and nozzle replacement.
These advancements ensure reliable image quality and consistent colour output while significantly boosting productivity.
The SureColor S9160 utilises an advanced 11-colour ink set, including red, orange and an all-new green, as well as opaque white ink, which can be used on clear or dark substrates to add versatility and enhance colour.
This expanded ink set delivers a broad colour gamut and enables vibrant and accurate prints on a variety of media types, including vinyl, canvas, film, wallpaper and other roll media up to 1626 mm.
“The SureColor S-Series printers have built the standard for quality in the signage market over the years, renowned for their reliability, exceptional colour gamut, colour consistency and accuracy,” Epson Australia professional print solutions product manager Shuhei Sato said.
“The new SureColor S9160 builds on these strengths, integrating the latest imaging technologies to elevate performance to the next level. The SureColor S9160 is a complete solution for businesses looking to achieve the highest quality standards in signage printing.”
Fujifilm
Shaun Holdom from Fujifilm demonstrated the Acuity Prime Hybrid machine during the Printing United exhibition in Las Vegas.
The Acuity Prime Hybrid was launched last year at the Fespa exhibition in Munich. Modelled on the highly successful Acuity Prime, the machine brings additional versatility due to its ability to handle rigid and flexible media.
When used as a flatbed machine, the Acuity Prime Hybrid can print on substrates up to 2m in width. It can simultaneously print on up to four pieces of rigid media and features registration pins for exact edge-to-edge printing.
The Acuity Prime Hybrid can produce a print at production quality starting from 92 square metres per hour. It also features front and back handling tables to support all media types while facilitating easy media positioning.
The roll-fed configuration can be loaded with two rolls each up to 0.9m wide, and its GreenGuard Gold certified ink makes it suitable for wallpaper production – as well as an extensive range of other applications.
The Acuity Prime Hybrid is suited to a wide range of media, including Dibond, foamboard, acrylic, polyester and more.
Klieverik
Klieverik showcased the latest model from its Vertex series – the Vertex-1850T –at Printing United.
The Vertex series has been designed as an affordable, entry level machine for efficient single piece transfer printing, but the calender is also capable of roll-toroll printing. Some of its features include an oil-based drum, robust build, compact design and ease of operation.
In addition, it has a new shaft bearing construction and a fully functional compact operating touch screen, with maintenanced instructions displayed when due. The machine is optimised for ease of operation and is suitable for all kind of PES textiles.
Ball & Doggett supplies Klieverik in the local region.
Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta showcased a number of devices to demonstrate how it is strengthening and expanding the business of commercial and industrial printing. It had several of its presses on display, including:
The AccurioPress C14010s: The development teams at Konica Minolta have made some new enhancements to further build upon the company’s ‘flagship’ high-volume, toner-based production press, the AccurioPress C14000. The updated press features a fifth station for white toner. Other upgrades include new hardware and firmware, and the addition of new accessories and features. This includes the new IQ-601 for the latest in one-touch colour management, as well as the IM-104/IM-105 to hone in on variable media attributes, ensuring the engine can quickly and easily adjust for the media being fed into the system. These features and more will all be available with the new C14010s model.
The AccurioWide 250: A versatile printer with superior image quality and high productivity for both outdoor and indoor job applications, increasing opportunities for customers to grow their business. This printer is equipped with UV LED lamps that allow users to print on a wider range of media, while simultaneously saving energy, time and cost. The 4-colour plus white ink configuration creates even more possibilities for printing on transparent material for backlit applications or for printing white as a spot colour. The 6-colour ink configuration offers a larger colour gamut, enabling the capability to print those hard-to-hit colours.
The AccurioLabel 230: This is a digital toner press that meets the growing market needs for shorter runs and more customisation, and provides substantial operational benefits for those looking to bring label production in-house. Printing speeds of 77 ft/min assure that short-run label production is done quickly and on-time. The simple user interface and integrated software packages allow any user to quickly learn and operate the press, unlike the skilled labour set required for traditional flexographic presses.
The PKG-1300 full colour packaging printer and AccurioShine 3600 together with iFoil One option were also on display.
Mimaki
Mimaki took the wraps off four new products at Printing United. The first was the CJV200 series, a roll-to-roll print and cut MFP with eco-solvent ink. The CJV200 is equipped with a single print head of ‘330 Engine’ in the flagship printer, enabling even inexperienced operators to produce printed products beautifully, quickly, and easily.
The CJV200 is also equipped with a variety of drafting modes to suit various printing applications, and can output 17.0 m2/h in the practical drafting mode, which is one of the highest productivity rates for an entry-level printer, contributing to reliable print output even during busy periods.
The next is the JFX200-1213EX mid-sized flatbed UV inkjet printer. The JFX2001213EX offers a new table size of 1,270 x 1,300 mm, compatible with international A0 standards. This makes it ideal for producing poster-sized sign graphics.
One of its standout features is its ability to print braille and pictorial signs at double the speed of conventional printers, setting a new benchmark for productivity.
The third machine that was launched is the TxF300-1600, a 3.2m-wide roll-to-roll inkjet printer that can output both direct sublimation printing and sublimation transfer printing for large format soft sign applications and home and textile markets.
The new TxF300-1600 delivers a 30 per cent increase in custom T-shirt print productivity compared to its predecessor. Certified safe and eco-friendly with the ECO-PASSPORT certification, Mimaki’s DTF ink meets the rigorous standards required for OEKO-TEX certification, making it a sustainable textile printing choice.
The last of the new machines that was launched at the expo is the TS3303200DS DTF (Direct-To-Film) printer.
As the trend for fabric signage continues to grow in commercial and exhibition settings, the TS330-3200DS hybrid printer supports both direct-to-fabric and sublimation transfer printing on media up to 3.2m wide, catering to the expanding demand for large-format interior fabrics.
All of these products will be commercially available in Australia later this year.
Neolt Factory
Currie Group demonstrated the Canon Colorado M-series working in conjunction with Italian finishing specialist Neolt Factory for the first time at Printing United.
Currie Group announced the partnership with Neolt Factory during the Visual Impact exhibition in Brisbane. The partnership includes the exclusive supply of a range of Neolt Factory loading, unloading and finishing systems for the Canon Colorado M-series printer range.
These include ‘jumbo roll in – jumbo roll out’ systems which increase the capacity for long run lengths of products like wallpaper without need for operator intervention, and jumbo roll-to-cut solutions which allow rolls to be converted automatically straight off the printer.
Paul Whitehead, Currie Group business unit manager – sign and display, said the Neolt Factory finishing will deliver huge advantages, particularly for businesses doing large runs of wallpapers or similar products, or multiple smaller runs of wallpapers or trimmings that require post-production finishing.
“The benefits of automation are well established. Higher productivity is an obvious advantage, but importantly this can be achieved more profitably and while maximising the value of your staff resources, by removing touchpoints in the production process and making the entire, end-to-end process simpler and more streamlined,” he said.
“The Neolt systems will allow Canon Colorado M-series users to lift their productivity with no additional labour requirement, by fully utilising the automated features of the printers and enabling longer, unattended production runs as well as in-line converting.
“This is a particular advantage for businesses in markets like Australia and New Zealand where qualified staff are in short supply, and wages running at a premium.”
Under the new agreement, Currie Group is the exclusive agent for the Neolt Factory product suite across Australia and New Zealand, where the company also supplies the Canon Colorado and Canon Arizona printer ranges.
Rollem
Rollem took to Printing United to showcase its Insignia 7H (Hybrid) die cutter, one of the models from its Insignia 7 Series. This new class of larger format die-cutting machine creates a distinct space in the print finishing market for sheetfed, short-long run label, packaging and mail applications.
The Insignia 7H houses two cutting drums. The H model dual magnetic Insignia systems offer the ability to utilise a single cutting tool, or a paired set of dies when looking to produce packaging products or other scored work.
When running a single cutting die, a ‘blank’ lower jacket is wrapped around the lower cylinder and acts as the cutting surface for the upper die. This setup allows for cost savings on tooling when producing straight die cut product and/or die cut/kiss cut decal work.
If producing boxes or the like, a paired set of dies allow for zero make ready from machine operators as well as enables embossing and/or debossing of substrates in a single pass.
This twin drum can also just be used as a single counting drum. The machine also has an inline stripping system on it, which means users get a finished product out the end. It also takes only minutes to set up compared to large flatbed cutters, which can take a couple of hours.
The tooling for this type of machine is a flexible plate that is held on through high power magnetic drums, and it means that make-ready for the operator is in minutes and maintenance is minimal.
Insignia machines weigh between two and five tonnes depending on size of machine (die cutting section only). These machines are built strong with thick solid side-frames measuring between 38mm to 64mm to house the cylinder section and support the cutting station.
Rollem is available from Graph-Pak in the local region.
