By Industrial Print Staff
October trade shows were the talk of the town last month, with one marking the end of an era and another just beginning.
PRINT 19 took place once more at the McCormick Center in Chicago, IL from October 3 to 5, 2019. Hosted by the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech), PRINT transitions to Brand Print Americas 2020 next year. The new event is a collaboration between the Tarsus group, the organizer of Labelexpo Americas, and APTech. The inaugural event is scheduled at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL from September 15 to 17, 2020. Co-located with the 2020 edition of Labelexpo Americas, Brand Print Americas brings together the commercial print and label converter communities in one event.
Printing United launched for the very first time October 23 to 25, 2019. The inaugural show was held in Dallas, TX and showcased everything from wide format digital print to screenprinting as well as commercial print. Printing United was launched two years ago through a collaboration with the Specialty Graphics Imaging Association and NAPCO Media. Next year, there are plans to hold the event in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center October 21 to 23, 2019.
Above: PRINT 19 took place at the McCormick Center in Chicago, IL from October 3 to 5, 219.
On the Floor at PRINT 19
Exhibitors showcased a variety of exciting technologies across printing, finishing, software, and consumables.
Epson showcased the SureColor 3170x, which features cartridge-free printing in a clean, space-saving design. The new, easy-to-fill, refillable ink tanks eliminate time spent purchasing and changing ink cartridges. The printer is ideal for low-cost point of purchase and education posters, as well as blueprints and line drawings up to 24 inches.
HP Inc. promoted its HP Indigo and PageWide printing innovations, as well as solutions for innovative and secure printing. One notable product displayed was ISBC RFID Paper, which is an HP Indigo certified substrate that enables users to produce smart tickets, hangtags for apparel, and NFC business cards.
Koenig & Bauer highlighted its augmented reality support system—AR DataGlass Remote Support System. The solution features an HD camera and microphone that provides an audio-visual link between technicians and remote maintenance. With this capability, customers are able to ensure maximum uptime.
LogoJET displayed its direct-to-substrate, light industrial inkjet printing equipment. The company offers solutions for printing to a variety of substrates including wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, stone, vinyl, rubber, and even curved products.
Xanté introduced two new flatbed UV printers, the X-16 and X-33 UV.
On the Floor at Printing United
From textiles to direct to object printing and even a touch of 3D printing capabilities, attendees witnessed industrial printing innovation.
Advanced Color Solutions exhibited its Golden Laser finishing device. It is a fabric laser cutter ideal for cutting digitally printed sublimation textile fabrics of all shapes and sizes. A conveyor and auto-feeder are used for enhanced automation.
Colex introduced the Sharpcut Pro SX1732 5.5×10.5-foot Flatbed Cutter and the 67×67-inch Sharpcut Creator SX1717. The Sharpcut Pro and Sharpcut Creator offer faster speeds, a new sleek design, and a four-inch wider and four-inch longer cutting bed.
Engineered Printing Solutions showcased the MD9450 cylindrical inkjet printer. It features multi-tooling capability, corona pre-treatment, ink curing via UV LED, stemware compatibility, and an output rating of up to 800 parts per hour.
Epson brought ten new printers to the show, of note are the 64-inch dye-sublimation (dye-sub) printers—the SureColor F9470 and SureColor F9470H. Both leverage a dual PrecisionCore TFP printhead and UltraChrome DS ink technology with high-density black ink. The SureColor F9470H features an enhanced printhead design with fluorescent ink support using Fluorescent Yellow and Fluorescent Pink ink to expand both color gamut and applications.
Gerber demonstrated its MCT Cutters, a 3.2×3.2-meter option with laser for finishing textiles and 1.6×3.2-meter device routing or knife/creasing rigid materials equipped with full conveying and automation and TigerVision software.
Inkcups promoted its Helix digital cylindrical printer, ideal for sports bottles, mixing glasses, barware, and candles. The X360 was also on display, matching similar capabilities to the Helix, but offering white ink options over dark colored substrates.
KIP debuted the EST 480 high-speed, dye-sub transfer system. It features CMYK dry toner sublimation technology at speeds of up to 2,880 square feet per hour.
Konica Minolta introduced the AccurioLabel 230, built on its Accurio engine technology. The new model replaces the AccurioLabel 190 with faster speeds.
Kornit showcased the Presto, a single-step solution for direct-to-fabric printing. The Kornit Presto eliminates the need for pre- and post-treatment of fabric. The booth was decorated with fabrics and applications created using the printer, from chairs to clothing.
LogoJET displayed its UVx40R, a direct to object device designed for use on metal, plastic, rubber, glass, ceramic, and stone. It uses UV-curable ink and in addition to standard CMYK, can be equipped with white, primer, or clear gloss.
Marabu debuted MRevo, a single-pass semi-automatic printer designed for cylindrical objects with a targeted price well below comparable equipment. It features UltraJet, a digital ink designed for a complete range of difficult substrates.
Mimaki USA, Inc. launched the TX300P-1800 MkII printer, which offers the ability to switch between dye-sub transfer or direct-to-textile printing, and also offers dual-ink possibilities. The printer can be configured with textile pigment/direct sublimation, textile pigment/sublimation transfer, or direct sublimation/sublimation transfer ink.
MultiCam demonstrated the Celero 5 HS (High Speed) series, which is a full-production digital cutting platform with knife cutting speeds of up to 6,000 inches per minute.
Mutoh America, Inc. exhibited the the ValueJet 2638X 100-inch eco-solvent printer along with the 1638UH 64-inch hybrid UV LED. It also showed the new XpertJet platform, which launched in September 2019.
Roland DGA Corporation showcased the RF-640 eight-color printer, TrueVIS VG2 series printer/cutters, VersaUV LEF2 series flatbed printers, and new LV series laser engravers.
SA International debuted FlexiDYESUB, a version of Flexi 19, engineered to improve the design-to-print dye-sub workflow through design, color management, RIPping, and printing. It offers complete control over individual ink channels to facilitate the use of custom color ink sets for special applications.
Zünd displayed fully configured S3/G3 and dual-beam D3 cutting systems equipped with the high-speed Over-Cutter Camera system OCC, a registration system that captures all registration marks in the cutting area with one image.
Looking Forward
Many vendors had the opportunity to shine at PRINT 19 and Printing United. We look forward to what 2020 brings.
Nov2019, Industrial Print Magazine