Head of Sales Ali Eranpurwala from Seiko talks with Jacques Michiels from INKISH.BENELUX about how they showcase their inkjet printheads, but, of course, also about the increasing demand.

We at INKISH, fully support Printing United, and we believe it's important that the entire industry back this event up. INKISH will cover the show extensively both with our upcoming INKISH.NEWS channel, as well with INKISH.TV. Daily INKISH will broadcast 'The Lunch-Break Hour" live show from 11 am to 1 pm. We will spice-up the show with interviews, demos, live-coverage from the show floor and on October 23rd even the Girlie Award 2019 ceremony. Who will be the winner in 2019? Well, tune into www.inkish.tv or facebook.com/inkishtv. If you are interested in joining us for our show, feel free to reach out to me at mre@inkish.tv.

As production moves from conventional offset to digital print the need for binding equipment that matches the qualities known is in demand. Italian vendor Meccanotecnica deliver solutions for both digital and offset. At Hunkeler Innovationdays 2019 in Luzerne, we got the chance to talk to Marketing Manager Stefano Formentini from Meccanotecnica. The solution they showed at the event consisted of an unwinder and a cutter from Hunkeler combined with Meccanotecnica's Universe Web solution that sections the cut sheets into a signature and delivers these for further processing. The quality is superior and the applications seamless. Watch, Like, and Share.

Pat McGrew from Inkish interviews Sebastiano Lonardi from Graphical at LabelExpo about their experience as a joint CERM and Esko customer. Sebastiano explains that while they already used Esko’s powerful software, they lacked the data needed to drive automation effectively. After seeing a demo of the CERM–Esko integration, they decided to invest in CERM’s MIS system because it seamlessly transfers information into Esko, enabling extensive automation and reporting. He says they had to learn some new things during implementation, but the CERM technicians understood their business well and guided them through the setup, so deep data expertise was not required. Graphical primarily produces labels but also has a sheetfed department for folding cartons, and they are now working on applying the same level of integration to folding cartons because it has worked so well for labels. Although the benefits are hard to quantify, he notes that with just six people handling 20,000 label files a year, the automation manages complex reporting and workflows almost entirely on its own, which he describes as “magic.”

Sebastian Stange works in the fantastic Koenig & Bauer demo center in Radebeul and was part of the panel with Sabine Geldermann (drupa), Stéphane Royère (KURZ), and Tim Sterbak (IST Metz) talking about one year to drupa among other things. Interesting chat with Sebastian Stange, and as always interesting to hear what's up with Koenig & Bauer!

In this interview, Sean Springett, CEO of manroland sheetfed USA & Canada, talks about growth for manroland and how their new Evolution series fit into packaging and general commercial print. Good to learn from!

Data and access to the same are today more essential ever. Fortunately, companies like Smithers, and people like Sean Smyth work every day collecting the needed data from an incredible number of sources. In this (long), but VERY exciting Over the Skype, Sean Smyths share his view on the importance of data and why the data is needed. 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!

Pat McGrew speaks with Sean and Paul from PrintPapa, who say Printing United has already been valuable as they explore new technologies to support their continued expansion. They are moving into textiles and are especially interested in Epson’s new DTF-film transfer solution. PrintPapa, long known for growing through additional production “garages” in Santa Clara, is also building out its roll-label business. They recently acquired two new units and are considering further investments for flexo, roll labels, and flexible packaging. Originally planning to evaluate Konica Minolta for this segment, they discovered Domino on the show floor—something they say illustrates the value of attending— and are now seriously considering Domino equipment instead. They describe the show as both research and future buying, noting they’ve attended industry events for more than 20 years to stay educated and keep growing. PrintPapa film made by INKISH.

One of the more exciting companies we have met is for sure Hamillroad Software from the UK. We have mentioned the company on several occasions on INKISH. In this film, we talk to Owner & CEO Andy Cave about their amazing screening technology. The technology is called DMS - short for Digitally Modulated Screening, and no - it's not AM, FM, Stochastic, or anything you know. The most amazing thing about DMS is that the quality is stunning; at the same time, printers can save ink. Watch, Like, and Share this film - we LIKE it a lot

Screen is one of the leading inkjet press companies and at Argos Inspiration Days 2018 in Brussels you'll have a chance to talk with them about their SC-ink promising Inkjet INK for Offset Stock - without pre- or post-coating - quite interesting. Sign up for www.argosinspirationdays.com

Tobias Kaase is the CEO of MediaPrint in Germany. The print division is part of a publishing group but serves all types of customers - of course. In this film, which was part of our Learn With Us Inkjet event, Kaase explains why they chose to invest in Screen inkjet. As usual - enjoy!

At the CERM booth, many panel debates took place. Unfortunately, we could only cover a few, and one of them was with Dennis Ebeltoft from Springfield. In that same session, Stuart Morrison from Screen Europe attended and talked about how Screen has also developed interfacing to solutions like ABG and, in this case, CERM. With its 350UV, Screen has become a well-known and well-used inkjet solution in the label industry, and when you hear about the collaborations, it only seems natural. Dig in!

Featuring the Screen Truepress Jet520HD+, serving the commercial print markets. Truepress uses the new ink SC+ in the shown configuration to enable high-quality commercial printing on offset-coated papers. Also present is the “new to be” packaging-focused Truepress PAC 520P high-speed, water-based inkjet system for paper packaging substrates. It is located a bit more hidden in the back of the booth but was elegantly brought to our attention by Hiromi Kitagawa for us to see. It’s not out yet and still under development, but we got a chance to see it up close & personal, and now so do you. The Truepress PAC 520P is coming to fruition, and it uses Screen’s new Truepress ink NP, specialized pigment inks that comply with appropriate food-safety guidelines and regulations for paper packaging. The PAC 520P will be introduced to the market later this year.

Scott Tacosik discusses KURZ's latest developments and innovations in transfer materials, their sustainability credentials, and the benefits they can bring to label converters.

LinkedIn Profiles: Scott Mackie https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamscottmackie/ Nick Benkovich https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-benkovich/

Scott Mackie has a vast background in the industry and is today part of Fujifilm's global development team. Fujifilm at drupa is one of the companies with the broadest portfolio of technologies and products and strives to be number one. It was super enjoyable to listen to Scott Mackie, and I recommend listening to some of the product specialists we also spoke with during our Fujifilm visit!

In this interview with Scot Gilbert from KURZ, we discuss the Steinemann DPE Maxliner 2D. The B2 size machine enables customers to digitally embellish sheets, which, of course, leads us to talk about the value of embellishment.

Nigel Tracey discusses digital enhancement developments, value and ROI of the Scodix Ultra 1000’s Series of B1 and B2 Presses.

German Edition: A few months before filming this film, we met with Scodix President EMEA, Franz Repp, who kept talking about this fantastic printing company he wanted us to film from—and here we are. Printhouse is the production backbone of several known online services like MyPoster, Junique, KartenLiebe, and ArtPhotoLimited, and what a production. HP Indigo's four Scodix machines and binding equipment can manage everything from simple posters to complex photobooks, along with extensive software, logistics, and clear management that knows where they want to be, now and in the future. This was a really great day, and also super nice filming with Frank Roller :-) English Edition: https://youtu.be/KwfCZU2xnY8

English Edition: A few months before filming this film, we met with Scodix President EMEA, Franz Repp, who kept talking about this fantastic printing company he wanted us to film from—and here we are. Printhouse is the production backbone of several known online services like MyPoster, Junique, KartenLiebe, and ArtPhotoLimited, and what a production. HP Indigo's four Scodix machines and binding equipment can manage everything from simple posters to complex photobooks, along with extensive software, logistics, and clear management that knows where they want to be, now and in the future. This was a really great day, and also super nice filming with Frank Roller :-) German Edition: https://youtu.be/YDE4IfKaxVM

Everybody knows Sabine Lenz from PaperSpecs. Known for high-quality inspiration and education - and as she says in this film, bridge designers with technology. We met at Scodix's booth at PRINTING United in Las Vegas. We agreed that Scodix had asked us to meet as we both have a passion for embellishment, quality, and everything technology does for designers. The new SHD (Smart High Definition) technology enables finer details and negative text on foil or down to 4.5pt size embellished. Super cool, and it was fun talking to Sabine!

Whenever you see a Scodix at work, you immediately understand that this machinery is unique. The output may look like conventional embellishments but with an ever-increasing demand for shorter runs, customization and more - most understand the need for digital is vast. At every tradeshow where Scodix exhibits you see some of the most beautiful print samples on the planet, and they do understand how vital the "look" is to both print service providers and brand-owners. In this film, we are talking to the relatively new CEO Adina Shorr, and her approach to the market is great - it's not only about the right look but maybe even more about changing packaging and print from being functional to being a marketing communication piece at the same time. Listen to her and get great insight about Scodix and how they see whether Scodix sees themselves as a replacement or a complimentary to the existing line of embellishment equipment in the market. GREAT!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15th, Scodix opens its new European Experience Center in Düsseldorf. INKISH Editor Morten B. Reitoft speaks with CEO and Co-Founder Eli Grinberg about the 20+ years journey, and how important it is for Scodix to open a location in Europe. The opening of the Experience Center is announced as a Gala Event with more than 70 attendees. INKISH and Printing-Connect.online are, of course, part of the celebration.

On the border between Poland and the Czech Republic, you find a divided city called Cieszyn (on the Polish side) and Cesky Tesin (on the Czech side). The city is divided by a river, and quite amazing to see how a city lives side by side yet being in two different countries. On the Polish side, we visited a printing company called Cieszynskie Zaklady Kartoniarskie, or easier for most to say, CZK. CZK has a fantastic history and has documents from both German occupations during the second world war and being part of the communist regime until its liberation. In this film, however, we are talking with Piotr Kulikowski and Anna Wnuk about how CZK, with a major investment, moved from being entirely analog to becoming a digital packaging company with a new HP Indigo 30000 press and the new Scodix solution! Always great to see how companies with investments create interest from new customers. Enjoy!