COO Courtney Sumners of Benson Integrated Marketing Solutions speaks with Robert Godwin about how her company utilizes a range of eProductivity Software solutions in their offerings to their customers. Enjoy!

At PRINTING United 2019 INKISH broadcasted LIVE from various booths Friday 25th. It's always a challenge, but likely more a problem to be so successful that all leaflets and marketing materials were gone. We got a chance to talk to CEO Michał Czaicki from Printbox from the booth and here is the interview from what seems to be both a successful company appreciating a very successful tradeshow. Enjoy.

Tom Fitzgerald is responsible for Post Press Products for Koenig & Bauer North America, and for him and his company, PRINTING United has been very successful. In the interview, Fitzgerald can't hide his appreciation of the sales achieved - and as with the rest of the Koenig & Bauer team, everything seems to move up and forward. Good work, guys!

The Fujifilm event Peak Performance Print Experience was held in Brussels on September 28th and 29th, 2021. It was a great event with many people, really good print samples, and an insight into where Fujifilm sees their technology. Here we speak to Taro Aoki, who is the head of Fujifilm digital press solutions. The new Revoria brand was also demonstrated on the first day, but only to customers in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Portugal - since Revoria is only available here now. The event gave the audience an insight into the technology, like the new Jet Press 750s with faster print speed, still fantastic quality, and a few other great and exciting upgrades. LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taro-aoki-4aa00b9/

ePac is, by far, one of the most recognized companies in the printing industry these days. With digital production of roll/pouches, the company has got attention from brand-owners of all sizes. Small print-run, fast turn-around time, stunning quality, and well - as MD Johnny Hobeika explains, in this interview, competitive prices, when everything from time, to obsolete stock, is taken into considerations. Great interview. Great company!

Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO of Bobst Group SA, shares his views and strategies with Jacques Michiels our CEO of INKISH Benelux. In this truly open and revealing conversation, Jacques Michiels gets the answers to his most pressing and sometimes quite personal questions. This year, BOBST celebrates its 130th anniversary – proof of their resilience, competences and success in long-lasting value creation. Jean-Pascal Bobst talks about how they can futureproof the business of their customers as well as their own. BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 15 production facilities in8 countries and employs more than 5500 people around the world. So, as a leading technology company in the packaging world, Bobst is greatly responsible for shaping this part of the industry and Jacques Michiels asks about new product developments, innovation, the people, sustainability and the challenges Bobst is facing in the next 3 years. Jean-Pascal Bobst unveils that they build new substrate processing technologies to increase sustainability along with innovating in digital printing with their Mouvent ink-jet technology, this as well as a stand-alone Label printing technology, but also integrated into the UV flexo “hybrid” printing machines turning in Beta as we speak.

Subtitles in English and French available: Jean-Pascal Bobst, PDG de Bobst Group SA, partage ses points de vue et ses stratégies avec Jacques Michiels, notre CEO INKISH Benelux. Dans cette conversation vraiment ouverte et révélatrice, Jacques Michiels obtient les réponses à ses questions les plus pressantes et parfois assez personnelles. Cette année, BOBST célèbre son 130e anniversaire - preuve de sa résilience, de ses compétences et de son succès dans la création de valeur durable. Jean-Pascal Bobst explique comment ils peuvent pérenniser les affaires de leurs clients ainsi que les leurs. BOBST est présent dans plus de 50 pays, gère 15 sites de production en 8 pays et emploie plus de 5500 personnes dans le monde. Ainsi, en tant qu'entreprise technologique de premier plan dans le monde de l'emballage, Bobst est grandement responsable de façonner cette partie de l'industrie et Jacques Michiels interroge sur les développements de nouveaux produits, l'innovation, les personnes, la durabilité et les défis auxquels Bobst sera confronté au cours des 3 prochaines années. Jean-Pascal Bobst dévoile qu'ils construisent de nouvelles technologies de traitement des substrats pour augmenter la durabilité tout en innovant dans l'impression numérique avec leur technologie à jet d'encre Mouvent. Cela étant aussi bien une technologie numérique autonome à l'impression d'étiquettes (Labels), mais également intégrée dans l'impression UV flexo «hybride» comme dans leurs machines tournant en Béta en ce moment. --- Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO of Bobst Group SA, shares his views and strategies with Jacques Michiels our CEO of INKISH Benelux. In this truly open and revealing conversation, Jacques Michiels gets the answers to his most pressing and sometimes quite personal questions. This year, BOBST celebrates its 130th anniversary – proof of their resilience, competences and success in long-lasting value creation. Jean-Pascal Bobst talks about how they can futureproof the business of their customers as well as their own. BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 15 production facilities in8 countries and employs more than 5500 people around the world. So, as a leading technology company in the packaging world, Bobst is greatly responsible for shaping this part of the industry and Jacques Michiels asks about new product developments, innovation, the people, sustainability and the challenges Bobst is facing in the next 3 years. Jean-Pascal Bobst unveils that they build new substrate processing technologies to increase sustainability along with innovating in digital printing with their Mouvent ink-jet technology, this as well as a stand-alone Label printing technology, but also integrated into the UV flexo “hybrid” printing machines turning in Beta as we speak.

Imaging Solutions AG (ISAG) Are best known for their frames and lay-flat-photo books solutions, but the company also develops and sells other products. At C!Print '23, Imaging Solutions co-exhibited with Xpozer.com and showed a clever yet simple solution, together with a new alu/poly-based substrate, that can make stunning images printable, easy to send, and VERY easy to assemble. Two software solutions were also presented - by Imaging Solutions, as far as we see :-) The first is an extremely important software in the digital age, an AI-based image scaler that uses AI to render images to be used in a larger format - very convincing. The name of the software is Viesus. The other was equally interesting, though I found it strange that Imaging Solutions don't offer a demo- site to test the software's capabilities. The service is called MyPrint.ai, and what you do is upload min. 10 photos will then be made - again with the help of AI - into stunning images that can be used for your art. Everybody talks about AI, and with OpenAI's Dall-E2 and ChatGPT, MyPrint.ai is a welcome addition to the creative use of computers. Super nice to see! LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clvanos/

Many companies grow through mergers and acquisitions - but Kongsberg is an example of the opposite since Kongsberg became its entity after a peaceful separation from Esko. In this Conversations editor, Morten B. Reitoft talks with President & CEO Stuart Fox. Teamwork, innovative technology, and a strong belief in the future are just a few of the takeaways! LinkedIn Profile

Ladies and Gentlemen. It's time to do business cards that are more than black text on white paper. Let the business card lead into the story you want to tell. In this Print Sample TV episode host, Pat McGrew gives you examples on business cards that are changing the perspective of a business card. The good thing is. If you have a printing press, you can do more, and better to engage with your clients. Here you'll find inspiration!

Steve explains that Spander is based in Shanghai and has been developing printing and packaging machinery for 15 years. The company is showcasing three product lines at the show — the S5, S7, and AC series — with the S5 positioned as a compact, cost-efficient press and the S7 as their long-established flagship now in its fifth generation. He emphasizes that all machines are fully servo-driven, gearless, and designed for high quality, efficiency, and ease of use, which he sees as essential given the growing difficulty worldwide in finding skilled machine operators. Steve notes that Shanghai gives them access to strong industrial infrastructure and well-educated engineers, which has enabled them to build everything in-house from scratch rather than copying others. He acknowledges that Chinese manufacturers are sometimes seen as copycats but stresses that Spander has pursued its own designs from the start, aiming for fair, market-adapted pricing rather than low-cost competition. He sees automation as the main future trend and says the company has deliberately spent years strengthening its base before now expanding globally. Having already sold 60 S5 presses in just eight months, Spander is now seeking the right distribution partners across Europe and beyond to bring its technology to international markets.

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets Steve Leibin, who introduces the advanced world of Sei Laser and its U.S. distributor Matik. Morten jokes that when he first thought of lasers, he imagined something that “burns everything,” but Steve explains that with the right applications and expertise, laser systems are among the most versatile and productive finishing tools in the industry. Steve explains that Sei Laser builds 25 different machines in over 100 configurations for 15 key markets — spanning signage, textiles, folding cartons, labels, corrugated packaging, and even metal and wood. “We’re laser experts,” he says. “Our focus is on applying laser technology in the most efficient way for each material.” The Mercury system, showcased at the booth, demonstrates this flexibility — cutting materials ranging from acrylic and metal to wood and paper on a single platform. “It’s perfect for signage or print companies that want to bring more work in-house and reduce outsourcing,” Steve notes. Asked why lasers aren’t yet standard in most print shops, Steve points to tradition. “People are familiar with analog methods like die-cutting. But short runs are growing, and those older processes are too slow. Laser cutting is digital, fast, and requires no tooling. Once you see the ROI, it’s an easy decision.” He says most customers see a payback period of 1 to 2 years, depending on the application. Sei’s laser control prevents burning or discoloration, even with sensitive materials like fabric. The company’s newest machine, the X-Wave, is the fastest 63-inch plotter cutter available. “It cuts and seals fabric edges in a single pass,” Steve explains. “That means no secondary finishing steps.” Meanwhile, the Mercury wide-format system — up to 126 inches wide — has been an industrial workhorse in Europe for two decades. Both machines, Steve adds, use roughly the same power as a traditional cutter but deliver far greater speed and precision. As Morten wraps up, he calls Sei Laser’s technology “an eye-opener for the print and signage world.” Steve agrees: “When printers see what these systems can do — digital precision, speed, and flexibility — they realize laser finishing is the next evolution in print production.”

DG3 is a fantastic printing company with diverse production. Patrick Caragliano says with a smile, “We can produce anything here but foil stamping and embossing.” - we believe them. One of the centerpieces on the production side is the new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 105 - but they have everything you can dream of. Binding, enveloping, digital print, and tons of people. It is a fantastic company with an exciting story told by Steven Babat and Patrick Caragliano - super happy to have experienced DG3 firsthand; second best is, of course, through the eyes of your INKISH team :-)

Steve Luedke recently joined Mark Andy after 26 years with WS Packaging, so he brings a converter's perspective to the press manufacturer's customer service department. He is responsible for its new Mark Andy 360 customer service initiative, announced at Labelexpo Americas 2024.

At Printing United in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH meets with Steve Loskutov from Bag Tags, a company based in Skokie, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. Bag Tags specializes in manufacturing luggage tags and event credentials, serving clients in youth sports, professional sports, adventure travel, and the trade show industry. This is Steve Loskutov’s first visit to Printing United, and he describes the show as “huge” and “wild,” noting how valuable it is to see such a wide range of exhibitors and technologies all in one place. Loskutov explains that Bag Tags decided to attend the event as part of its search for a new digital press. Rather than visiting single-brand showcases, he wanted to compare multiple solutions side by side, making Printing United the ideal venue to evaluate technology, performance, and vendor support. He jokes that being in the market for a press makes him “a very popular man” among exhibitors, as every manufacturer is eager to earn his attention. Bag Tags is already a customer of Rollem International and operates the Insignia X3 die cutter — a purchase Loskutov calls a “game changer.” Before acquiring the system, the company’s workflow involved manually drilling holes and die cutting one sheet at a time, which was both time-consuming and labor-intensive. With the Insignia X3, Bag Tags can now complete in one hour what previously took eight. Loskutov praises the machine’s precision, durability, and speed, saying it has dramatically improved efficiency and output quality. He also commends Rollem’s team in Schaumburg, Illinois, including their technician Edgar, for exceptional training and ongoing support, describing them as calm, confident, and always reliable. Looking ahead, Loskutov says the company’s next priority is identifying the right digital press to complement their finishing operations. The goal, he explains, is not just to acquire new equipment but to ensure that any addition integrates seamlessly with their existing workflow. Bag Tags is taking a thorough, research-based approach, testing different systems to confirm quality, durability, and compatibility before making a decision. The conversation highlights how Bag Tags continues to balance craftsmanship and innovation — evolving from a manual, labor-intensive operation into a modern, highly efficient manufacturer while maintaining the attention to detail and customer focus that define its reputation.

Steve Johnson, or Tonerman, is well-known in the American print community. He is a smart businessman, a columnist with WhatTheyThink, and now also featured on INKISH. Listen to Johnson and learn the difference between books and manuals. In this interview by Mark Vruno, you get a lot of great insights about his company, Copresco, and great learning in general. With this interview, we also introduce Mark Vruno. He has been with us at various tradeshows and will also be at PRINTING United, but this is his first FULL INKISH Interview. Great work—welcome on board!

Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show in sunny Birmingham, where he meets Steve Giddings, Managing Director of Perfect Binding Machinery. Steve has been in the printing industry for 60 years, starting out with letterpress, moving into lithography, and then embracing digital technology, which he describes as the most versatile and exciting yet. At this year’s show, he introduces a new piece of digital equipment designed to print images, text, and colours directly onto book edges. The machine was flown in from China just in time for the event, after a long and expensive journey through customs, flights, and visa challenges for the engineers. Perfect Binding Machinery has been in operation since 2005, following Steve’s earlier venture, Steve Giddings Engineering, which ran from 1988 to 2001. The company specialises in finishing equipment, particularly hardcover book production. Their solutions include perfect binding, three-knife trimming, case making, foiling, board and cloth cutting, and thread sewing. Steve highlights a compact and innovative binder that can handle endpapering and back lining with hot-melt glue, then produce either hardcover or softcover books on demand. In combination with three-knife trimmers, thread sewing, or digital printing, this creates a streamlined, short-run book production line in a relatively small footprint. Although the UK market has been challenging, with several companies closing down this year, Perfect Binding Machinery continues to serve its customers. Steve notes that, although it hasn’t been easy, the company remains committed to providing solutions that support book production in the UK. Known for his wit and perspective, Steve sums up his lifelong dedication to the trade by saying, “Some people have ink in their blood — I’ve got glue in mine.” A conversation full of history, humour, and insight into book finishing, filmed live at The Print Show in Birmingham.

Steve Billow was recently appointed President & CEO of Fujifilm Dimatix. You may not know that name so well, but in the graphic arts industry, that equals Samba print heads, used in many inkjet printers. We got a chance to talk to Billow about his job, inkjet in general, and many more things - super nice talking to you, and looking forward to further conversations!

Of course, digital transformation isn't only about equipment. When a company like Flower City, just a few years ago, was a litho offset-only company, investing in digital technology from AGFA and learning about the opportunities it presents to the company is simply amazing. The company delivers PODs to numerous household names in the US, but prides itself on being large enough to have a wealth of resources available to us, yet small enough to remain nimble and agile, serving its customers exceptionally well. You should have been there - it's really a great company with many very nice people. What a great day!

Stéphane Royère is the head of Packaging and Print with Leonhard KURZ. We got a chance to talk to him after he finished his panel discussion with Sabine Geldermann (drupa), Sebastian Tange (Koenig & Bauer), and Tim Sterbak (IST Metz) and talked to him about sustainability, value-adding, and of course, also their platinum sponsorship at drupa 2024. Enjoy!

What is KURZ Label Weeks about? Well, it all started with the cancellation of LabelExpo, which KURZ considers a very important trade show. Stéphane Royère explains in this interview the idea behind Kurz Label Weeks - and what the expectations are. Interesting to learn how vendors turn a cancellation into an opportunity, and of course, interesting to see the result of Label Weeks which last almost four months!

In this episode, Stéphane Royère from KURZ will show new silver products that maybe have less "blink" but still can make people look one more time.  

French with English subtitles: DB Print, based in Lille, France, is one of Komori's heavy users of its printing equipment and current offering. What are the new challenges, and what solutions are the large offset printers looking for, especially in commercial printing? What are the drivers when they seek to invest in new technologies, and how do they anticipate entrepreneurial difficulties? We chat with Stéphane Cannone, Managing Director of DB Print, and hear some of his thoughts on the matter. It turns out to be a difficult choice and must consider the lifespan of the technology, the cost savings, and the search for prolonged efficiency gains. -- DB Print basé à Lille, France est l'un des gros utilisateurs de Komori de son équipement d'impression et de son offre actuelle. Quels sont les nouveaux défis et quelles solutions les grands imprimeurs offset recherchent-ils réellement, en particulier dans le domaine de l'impression commerciale ? Quels sont les moteurs lorsqu'ils cherchent à investir dans les nouvelles technologies et comment anticipent-ils les difficultés entrepreneuriales ? Nous discutons avec Stéphane Cannone, le directeur général de DB Print, et découvrons certaines de ses réflexions à ce sujet. Il s'avère être un choix difficile et doit tenir compte de la durée de vie de la technologie, des économies de coûts et de la recherche de gains d'efficacité prolongés.