Faster RIP, Cheaper Hardware – The Power of GPU · Justin Bailey · Hybrid Software Helix · FLOW 2026
What if the secret to faster, more affordable digital printing isn’t more powerful hardware, but smarter software?
At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, INKISH’s Wayne Beckett meets Justin Bailey, who leads Hybrid Software Helix, formerly Global Graphics Software, to explore the technology behind some of the printing industry’s best-known equipment manufacturers.
Hybrid Software Group brings together specialized companies covering prepress, workflow, color management, inkjet electronics, and core software technologies. From Hybrid Software and ColorLogic to Meteor Inkjet, Xitron, and Helix, the group provides technology supporting a wide range of printing applications.
And there’s a good chance you’re already using its technology without knowing it.
Justin explains how core technologies such as the Harlequin RIP and Mako SDK are licensed to major equipment manufacturers, enabling them to develop their own branded solutions without building everything from scratch.
But the real highlight of this conversation is SmartRIP, a new GPU-native raster image processing technology designed to deliver impressive performance using relatively inexpensive graphics hardware.
Rather than relying on increasingly expensive computing systems, SmartRIP uses parallel processing capabilities to improve performance while reducing hardware requirements. Combined with integrated color management and simplified media handling, it offers OEMs and integrators a more efficient foundation for developing print solutions.
For print service providers and converters, the benefits ultimately come down to something very familiar: higher performance, lower costs, and better margins.
A fascinating conversation about the technology most printers never see, but increasingly depend on, and why software innovation could be just as important as advances in printing hardware.
And yes, Wayne and Justin even manage to put their West Ham and Millwall rivalry aside in the name of integration!
Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH
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Wed November 4th
Your Workflow Is Automated. But Is It Connect...
You may think your printing company is automated. But are all your systems actually working together? At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, Pat McGrew meets Ray Duval from Ultimate Tech to explore why workflow automation is about much more than individual software solutions — and why connecting the islands of automation is essential for modern print production. For years, Ultimate Tech has been recognized for its Ultimate Impostrip imposition technology. But as printing companies expand into new markets and increasingly operate mixed production environments, the company's solutions have evolved far beyond traditional imposition. Today, Ultimate Tech helps printers automate imposition, nesting, batching, and finishing preparation across commercial printing, digital print, wide format, labels, and other applications. From preparing files for flatbed printers to optimizing cutting tables and managing short-run label production, the goal is to create efficient, connected workflows that reduce manual intervention. And automation isn't only about getting files to machines. It's increasingly about data. Ray explains how information needs to travel in both directions, enabling production systems to receive the right instructions while returning valuable performance data that helps businesses understand and improve their operations. But perhaps the most important point is that automation starts with understanding the customer's challenges. Ultimate Tech combines technology with decades of practical industry experience to identify bottlenecks, connect existing systems, and help printing companies develop more efficient production environments. Whether you're already using Ultimate Impostrip or just beginning your automation journey, this conversation demonstrates why the next step isn't necessarily another piece of software, but making everything work together. Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH