Connecting IOT devices across brands, types, and how this can bring more value to the PSP’s. Baldwin introduces AMP

Connecting hardware from different vendors may not be as easy as it sounds - so how will this be done? - Steve Metcalf, Baldwin Technologies.

We work side by side every day. Even when we return home to our families, conversations often drift back to work. The challenges never really stop, but working with family is rewarding because trust is built into everything we do. When problems arise, that trust becomes the foundation for moving forward. This company began as a small operation after the Second World War. Those early years were difficult, yet they shaped a mindset that still defines us. When you know your grandfather built something in a difficult time, you believe you can face any challenge. That sense of resilience continues to guide us. Last year, a fire struck our facility. It was a moment where we didn’t know how to begin rebuilding. Having someone experienced beside us made the difference. Former employees and long-time colleagues came back to help. Their support mattered not only in practical work but emotionally. You suddenly realize how much you can rely on the people around you, and that gives you the strength to move on. Today, we produce an extremely wide range of products: commercial print, books, panets, fruit and food packaging, wine and oil bottle packaging, and shopping bags. It is demanding, but also exciting. Our location in Puglia, in the south of Italy, gives us direct access to many food companies, but we have also begun exporting abroad during the past five years. It is still only a small part of our turnover, largely because logistics and delivery costs are challenging. Still, we see opportunities, especially with shopping bags and laminated products enhanced with hot foil and other finishing options. Sustainability has become a priority. Luxury clients increasingly request environmentally responsible packaging, so we began developing sustainable solutions in 2018. It’s not only about offsetting energy use or reducing CO₂. We focus on combining design and chemistry to deliver new options. We have BRC Packaging certification, and our background in commercial print allows us to work quickly, offering clients fast proposals and helping them reach the market faster. This approach helps us grow and differentiate from competitors. Our customers were demanding higher quality and greater productivity, so we compared solutions from Heidelberg, manroland, and Koenig & Bauer. We chose Koenig & Bauer for the technology it offered. Three years ago, we installed our first six-color plus coating system with conventional low-migration inks for food packaging. This year, we added another six-color plus coating press and will install LED-UV lamps from GEW. This new capability lets us print on laminated paper, plastic, and uncoated stock with excellent results. The machine is positioned away from our food packaging lines, and alongside it we are also bringing a new die-cutting system into operation. Reliability and fast support were key reasons we stayed with Koenig & Bauer. When you buy a press, you need fast assistance. Problems can happen with any brand, but solutions must come quickly. After our first experience, we were confident enough to invest again. Digital printing does not yet fit our market. Offset remains the best solution for what we do. These presses allow us to set up in as few as 100 sheets and reach high productivity quickly. For now, this is the right choice. The future is uncertain. Global conflict is affecting markets everywhere. Still, we have always been quick to adapt. With the equipment and capabilities we now have, we look ahead with confidence.

Signcom is a well-known subsidiary of Igepa Group, and yet well-known, your humble editor didn't do his homework before meeting with the Finish Managing Director Samuli Vuorenhela. But what you don't know, you can learn - and it was truly great both to meet Samuli, but also to learn more about Signcom. At shows like the Sign, Print & Promotion, you really get to see a lot of equipment, substrates, software, and applications - and you can compare. I talk to Samuli about competition in the market, but also about the company's history. Great meeting Samuli, and I am confident that we will meet again! LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuli-vuorenhela-32a4282/

In this Print Sample TV edition, host Pat McGrew shows some really cool 'collector's items' made on a Fujifilm JetPress. In this Print Sample TV, Pat McGrew show two examples - a magazine and a box with cards - and both show the creativity of the people at Fujifilm, but also, of course, the great capabilities of their digital presses.

In this conversation, Editor Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Colin Sinclair McDermott, also known as the Online Print Coach, about his background in the printing industry and his work coaching print businesses worldwide. Colin shares how he entered the industry in the 1990s, lost a business during the 2008–2009 recession, and how those experiences shaped his mission to help other printers avoid the same mistakes. They discuss common challenges across the industry, including time management, owner bottlenecks, stress, personal financial risk, and the difficulty of delegating and letting go. A key theme is the importance of understanding business fundamentals such as break-even points, profitability, productivity, and core financial metrics, not just being a skilled printer. The conversation also explores cultural differences around failure in Europe versus the US, the value of coaching and accountability, the role of trade organizations and OEMs in education and promotion, and why the print industry must strengthen its capabilities in sales, marketing, and leadership. Colin reflects on networking, public speaking, and major industry events such as Printing United, drupa, FESPA, and Dscoop, and how visibility, education, and honest conversations can help move the industry forward, even if progress sometimes feels slower than desired.

Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show at the NEC in Birmingham, catching up with his good friend Colin Sinclair McDermott — better known as The Print Coach and founder of Print Mastermind. Colin shares that the first day of the show has been buzzing, with a steady flow of visitors and a renewed energy thanks to the addition of The Sign Show and the central Hall 3 location. With decades of experience in the print industry, Colin built and ran his own print company before moving into business coaching over five years ago. Noticing a lack of dedicated coaching for the print sector, he created Print Mastermind — an online training and community platform designed specifically for print and packaging businesses. The platform helps companies improve in every area — from sales and marketing to systems, processes, and finance — through weekly mastermind sessions, structured content, and shared best practices. Colin emphasizes that the Print Mastermind community is selective and focused on creating a safe, collaborative environment where members can share challenges, ideas, and strategies. Businesses interested in joining can reach out directly via LinkedIn, his website, or by phone to discuss fit and goals. Wayne highlights Colin’s impressive podcast and webinar content, which continues to help print businesses raise their game and accelerate growth. Looking ahead, Colin is preparing to head to Orlando for PRINTING United, where he’ll take on a major role as part of the new Allstars Ambassador Program — serving as team captain alongside other industry leaders. He’ll also be speaking at various events, participating in “Spill the Ink” sessions, Student Day activities, and hosting live podcast recordings throughout the show. From Long Beach to Birmingham and next to Orlando, Colin’s journey reflects his commitment to empowering the global print community. A lively conversation about education, leadership, and collaboration in print — filmed live at The Print Show.

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne from INKISH meets with Colin Sinclair McDermott, captain of the Printing United Allstars. Colin explains that this is the first year the Expo has introduced the Allstars program — a group of 15 ambassadors who promote the event, host “Spill the Ink” sessions, and guide students around the show floor. “We’re here to showcase all things Printing United,” Colin says. “It’s about helping new people experience the industry and making sure they get the most from their visit.” He mentions that several universities have sent students to the show, and the Allstars are giving them guided tours. “They’re full of energy,” he smiles. “They’re seeing real technology in action, and we’re helping connect them with exhibitors who can show them how it all works.” Beyond his Allstars duties, Colin has been busy as The Online Print Coach, delivering a packed seminar on “The Top 10 Growth Mistakes Printers Make — and How to Avoid Them.” He says the session was well attended and sparked great conversations. “I love helping PSPs avoid the same mistakes I made and get where they want to be faster,” he explains. Colin is also recording several podcast episodes at the show, featuring guests such as Chris Minn, Lucy Swanston, clients from Nevada, and an AI-focused speaker. “I like to mix PSPs and industry voices,” he says. “The goal is to share different perspectives from across print.” Reflecting on the event, Colin calls Printing United “amazing.” It’s his first time attending, and it exceeded expectations. “The show floor’s been buzzing, the seminars are full, and everyone’s here to learn and grow,” he says. “People have come from all over — even Jamaica — so it really feels like the go-to event in North America.” Wayne notes that exhibitor feedback has been strong and that next year’s Las Vegas edition is already selling out fast. Colin nods: “I can see why. It’s been fantastic. I’m already looking forward to captaining the Allstars again in Vegas next year.”

Dalim Software presents at #HID25 a new solution that will impose way faster than previous versions and also in lanes - two things that Managing Director Colin Price emphasizes. The scope of Dalim software is amazing and you should of course get to their booth and see for yourself :-)

This is our first cherry blossom season here at our new facility. We just moved north of Kyoto onto the shores of Lake Biwa. We opened up the new Horizon Innovation Park. And that's where myself and the Horizon International team are now located. Right now, we can do demonstrations on every Horizon system. Some people would say that the printing industry is declining. We would say that it's changing. It's undergoing an evolution. Or it's more short run, more variable, more digital. The Japanese spirit is all about going from the smallest bit to the largest finished product, all in-house. Everything from the rollers to the circuit boards are produced right here. It was in 2019 when we held the first "Think Smart Factory" in Kyoto, Japan. What we want to show, automated solutions integrated from prepress to your press to your finishing in order to optimize your workflow. And what our workers can do during assembly is they can call those little robots to go to the warehouse, bring the necessary parts that they need. Our customers want to really feel the paper for themselves. They want to see the finished product. Here, the machines operating. As manufacturers, we want to present solutions and hear from our customers. Right now that's not always an option. Since the beginning, we've been adopting the newest technologies to be able to replicate that experience. They never expected that they would get this high quality. It's also opening up new doors. Because we get to take them on tours of our facility. Which you would never get to do when you're just at a trade show. Right now, we have a new training zone. Where we can have people from all over the world come and get hands on training with the machines. But when that's not an option, we have a training team here to help them out when they're in a pinch.

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets Colin Flinn from Horizon USA at the Standard Finishing Systems booth for a detailed conversation about digital transformation in print finishing and the growing role of software — particularly Horizon’s IceLink platform. Colin, who has spent his career growing within the Horizon family, explains how the company has evolved far beyond traditional finishing. “What we’re really seeing,” he says, “is that many companies that used to be print companies are now IT companies that happen to print — and the same goes for manufacturing. Horizon has always been in finishing, but now we’re focused on the data. That’s what makes our customers successful, and that’s exactly what IceLink delivers.” He recalls the early days of the platform: “When IceLink first came out, I used to tell people it stood for ‘I can’t explain,’” he laughs. “But today I can. It means Intelligence, Connectivity, and Efficiency — and that’s the foundation of everything we’re doing.” Colin explains how finishing used to lag behind printing in terms of automation, data visibility, and job tracking. “Finishing was always a black box,” he says. “It’s why you never see a smiling bindery manager. But with IceLink, that’s changing. Now you have job tracking, performance analytics, scheduling, and even preventive maintenance tools — all in one connected ecosystem.” The software comes in two tiers: IceLink Basic and IceLink Enterprise. “The basic version is plug-and-play,” Colin says. “It’s included with every installation and gives operators access to job tracking, error notifications, and preventive maintenance tools — things that used to require clipboards and paper logs. Enterprise, on the other hand, grows with you. It supports full automation, JDF/JMF integration, and API connections to MIS systems. It’s ideal for advanced operations that need deep workflow connectivity.” Colin points out how partnerships, such as Horizon’s collaboration with Ultimate Bindery, demonstrate the platform’s flexibility. “If you’re exchanging JDF data and running integrated workflows, that’s where Enterprise shines,” he says. “But even customers just starting their digital journey can see immediate value.” Asked whether software gets overshadowed by the hardware-heavy show floor, Colin smiles. “The machines bring people into the booth, but the real conversations happen around software. Once people see what IceLink can actually do — the automation, the live data, the efficiency — that’s when things get exciting.” As the interview wraps up, Morten jokes about Colin’s perfectly timed on-camera “blink,” and both share a laugh — a fitting end to a conversation that captures the quiet revolution happening inside the print finishing world, where data and connectivity now drive the future.

Cold foil embellishment, what is it, how does it work, and what does it do for print? A few weeks ago, Jacques Michiels and Jan Majnik from INKISH visited the city of Turnhout, aka the “Printvallley of Flanders,” in Belgium. What they found was nonother than a concentration of some of the most innovative printing companies, yes even world leaders in their field like Cartamundi, where printing presses have been running already since 1765 and today has become the largest playing cards – and board game manufacturer in the world. Amazing and all originating from this rather small area in central Belgium. Our interest was drawn to one of the pioneers working with the Coldfoil technology for many years, Grafische Groep Matthys. So what is Coldfoil actually, how does it work, and what does it do for print? In this film, we take a deep dive into COLD FOIL. We show you all the different steps and how conventional cold foil is produced in an industrial environment like those operated at Grafische Groep Matthys. We ask our friends from the VIGC (the Flemish innovation center for graphic communication) - an independent organization also residing in Turnhout - how they see print embellishment evolving and to give some recommendations to printers looking into embellishment solutions and these kinds of work. So let’s meet the passionate folks at Matthys, who were willing to open up and share their story and passion in helping their customers SHINE - literally & vibrant! Great film. Watch it, Learn, Like it and Share it.

In this film, we walk through the BOBST Novacut, a die-cutting machine in several configurations. Area Sales Manager Cody Call shares his vast knowledge with Editor-in-Chief Morten B. Reitoft. The film explains, among other things, how the three paper-handling systems work—all doing a fantastic job but also coming at a price. It's a great walkthrough; we hope you like it!

Established in 1866 and strongly focused on customer satisfaction, investments in new technology, and curiosity driving Kohlhammer Druck into the future. Often CEO Steffen Franzisi says that's not difficult - which gives you great insight and understanding into why we have two ears and one mouth. Kohlhammer Druck is located in Stuttgart and serves a wealth of well-known brands in both offset and digital. Great company with friendly people and a strong belief in the future, and what we like the most - not afraid of investing in technology driving the company forward!

In this film CEO Dayne Nankervis talks about the recent investment in the HP Indigo 100K. CMYKhub is an Australian trade printer working not only with print and binding, but also enhancement and embellishment - enjoy! LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayne-nankervis-453b647a/

Head of Marketing Kevin O'Donnell from Xerox came to the Sign, Print & Promotion show in Helsinki to support the successful Xerox business in Finland - or did he come to meet with INKISH? Well - we got a chance to spend a good time together and learned a lot of good things about Xerox, CMYK+, XMPie, and, of course, the amazing Xerox Iridesse Digital Printer! Enjoy!

A scanner and built-in defect detection systems sound surreal, but that's exactly what Clyde Tillman from Litech USA shows Mark Vruno. Interesting to see how software, hardware and inspection becomes more and more important :-)

Cloudprinter.com enables their customers to integrate print-services into their IT which in return enables them to deliver in 140+ countries. The "secret" is the set of API's offered by cloudprinter.com that route the jobs to the printer able to deliver where the product is needed. cloudprinter integrates directly into the printer's workflow and therefore is an advantage for both buyers and sellers. But listen to this interview yourself and get much wiser. As usual, please watch, like, and share!

Vice President Business Development, Tim Roloff, explains in this film from eProductivity Software/EFI Connect 2022 the advantages of using dedicated cloud services from ISCorp.

At Printing United in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Clarence Penge, President of Heidelberg USA, about his long career, the company’s evolving strategy, and the broader challenges and opportunities in the printing industry. Penge, who has spent 31 years with Heidelberg, describes his appointment as president as both “an honor and a humbling experience,” noting that many colleagues celebrated his promotion because he had grown up within the company. “I’m one of them,” he says. “I’m an old printer by trade.” Penge acknowledges that leading Heidelberg in today’s market carries major responsibility, but he’s optimistic about what lies ahead. Despite ongoing issues such as tariffs and unfavorable exchange rates, he sees strong momentum across the U.S. market, particularly in packaging, label production, and digital print. He points to the company’s collaboration with Canon and innovations like the Jetfire and Speedmaster XL 106 as examples of how Heidelberg is positioning itself for the future. While tariffs create short-term hesitation among customers, Penge believes the bigger challenge lies elsewhere. “The real issue isn’t tariffs,” he says. “It’s finding skilled labor. The knowledge base of our industry is aging out, and we need to make print attractive again.” Heidelberg, he explains, has taken that responsibility seriously. Since the pandemic, the company has run a large-scale training initiative at its Kennesaw, Georgia, facility — offering free weekend classes for operators, die cutters, and folder-gluer technicians. “We’ve trained hundreds of people over the past few years,” Penge says. “Our customers are investing in people, and we’re investing alongside them. That’s the partnership the industry needs.” These modular weekend programs make it easier for working printers to attend without leaving their jobs for extended periods, providing hands-on education that strengthens both companies and the wider industry. Penge also sees this as part of Heidelberg’s larger mission to lead through example — not only in technology but in workforce development and business sustainability. “When you’re the leader,” he says, “you have to lead, not follow.” He believes that the company’s technological ecosystem — including the “Push to Stop” manufacturing concept — has fundamentally redefined how printers can maximize productivity and profitability. “Every press requires an operator to push start,” he explains. “But with Push to Stop, the machine takes over until it truly needs human input. It’s a smarter, more efficient way to run production.” Reflecting on his decades with Heidelberg, Penge calls the evolution from manual to fully automated print “an amazing journey,” citing drupa 1995, 2000, and 2016 as milestones that marked true transformation in the industry. Now, as a newly appointed president, he remains focused on collaboration and transparency. “We all still have a lot to learn,” he says. “But if we keep the dialogue open and focus on the positive — the innovation, the partnerships, the people — the industry’s future is bright.”

Hard-working. Dead Serious. Quiet. No lunch. Loads of coffee. Whispering. Mostly males. White-boards, screens, and computers. CIP4 Inter-OP is serious business, or maybe it's even more. Some are friends. Some are competitors. Some are from large companies. Some not. CIP4 is the name of this group of serious people working on making all printers lives easier. It's a matter of defining a common language for offset printers, digital printers, large format printers, binding equipment, software like ERP, M.I.S., etc. CIP4 defines J.D.F., XJDF, and other standards. You may now know them, but your business is depending on them. Watch, Listen, Like, and Share.

Cindy Van Luyck is the CMO at CHILI Publish, and in this, Over the Skype session, we talk about SPICYtalks, CHILI publisher, and how to market complex products and services. As with all our ‘Over the Skype’ interviews, quality is limited to bandwidth, web-cams, and ability to literally LIVE mix the conversations. However, it works, and with Over the Skype, we will bring you more than 20 exciting people, and angles on the industry as it is right now. Enjoy!

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Canon Europe Product Manager Cindy Schramm about the world premiere of the new ColorStream 7000. While the machine is officially positioned as the successor to the ColorStream 6000, the conversation quickly reveals that the story is much more about bringing proven technologies from the flagship ColorStream 8000 platform to a broader segment of the market. Schramm explains how Canon has combined more than fifteen years of customer feedback with the latest developments in web-fed inkjet technology to create a platform aimed at business communication printers, transactional printers, direct mail specialists, and selected book manufacturers. The ColorStream 7000 introduces several technologies previously reserved for higher-end systems, including advanced web cleaning and automation features designed to improve uptime, reduce maintenance, and make productive printing on recycled papers a realistic business proposition. The discussion also covers the changing requirements of print service providers, the replacement cycle now facing many first-generation inkjet installations, and the importance of balancing productivity, quality, security, and operational simplicity. As Schramm explains, not every customer requires the highest speeds or resolutions available in the market, but every customer expects reliability, profitability, and a platform that can evolve with future needs. The interview concludes with a guided walk around the new press, providing insight into the engineering decisions behind the ColorStream 7000 and Canon's strategy for continuous-feed inkjet in the years ahead.

Morten from INKISH is at Labelexpo in Barcelona and sits down with Chuck, CEO of Amtech Software. Amtech is well-known in the industry for its Label Traxx solution, serving converters worldwide. Chuck explains that Amtech is a 44-year-old software company operating in 43 countries, supporting over 1,200 plants across four key packaging segments: corrugated, folding carton, flexible packaging, and labels. Two years ago, Amtech acquired Label Traxx to strengthen its presence in the labels market, making Labelexpo a key event for connecting with partners and customers. Chuck shares that Amtech was recently acquired by Vista Equity Partners, one of the world’s largest software-focused private equity firms with over $100 billion in assets. Vista’s investment provides strong financial backing and deep software expertise, enabling Amtech to accelerate growth, migrate its portfolio to cloud-native platforms, and integrate artificial intelligence into its products. Vista evaluates each company with an annual AI maturity score, ensuring continuous innovation and alignment with cutting-edge technologies. Through Vista’s extensive network of software companies, Amtech benefits from shared knowledge, best practices, and access to proven tools—speeding up time-to-market and improving product quality. While Amtech already has a dominant presence in the U.S., the new investment aims to balance its footprint by expanding in Europe. Over the next 12 months, the company will hire around 50 people across EMEA in sales, support, services, and product development, ensuring closer, localized service for customers. Chuck emphasizes the importance of proximity, multilingual support, and local partnerships to meet regional needs effectively. He also notes that Vista’s funding allows Amtech to modernize its user interfaces, enhance mobility, and deliver cloud-first solutions that match the expectations of a new generation of users. The company’s strategy remains tightly focused on packaging, with a vision to be the global leader in technology and software for the packaging industry—backed by continuous product investment and customer trust. Discussing competition, Chuck says Amtech is confident in its product capabilities but differentiates itself through service, support, and long-term relationships. Many of their customers have stayed with them for decades, drawn by the company’s reliability and customer-centric approach. Reflecting on Labelexpo, Chuck describes it as a great success—an opportunity to meet new customers, build partnerships, and reconnect with industry peers. For him, the show feels like a “family reunion” where European and American teams come together to drive the industry forward. A conversation about innovation, global growth, and customer trust from one of the software leaders powering the packaging industry, recorded live at Labelexpo in Barcelona.