That photo represents to me the Mavericks. The outlaws. The entrepreneurs in the printing industry. That I have so much respect for. If you're not already thinking in the future. I guarantee you there are companies who are doing that. If you subscribe monthly. That vendor has to deliver value to you each and every month. Disruption is something that's natural in business. And I think it's something that should be sought after and encouraged. There's a gentleman who's the CEO of a company called Zuora. His name is Tien Tzuo. And he wrote basically the authority on subscription economy. And it's called 'Subscribed'. And that for me has been so inspiring. You know, not only for my position in the printing industry. But just someone who's a fan of business. It's so nice to know that during these times of challenges that there exists scholarship foundations like PGSF. In particular, one that's able to help provide over half a million dollars a year. And support hundreds of students. It Is so critical that the industry has that type of support. And I would just encourage anyone listening to this, you know, whether it's monetary donation or mentorship. We all play an important part in helping support the future of the industry. That is from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. And it's the part time MBA program that I'm involved in. And you might find yourself sitting next to a commercial airline pilot, a medical doctor or a McKinsey consultant or even a guy from the printing industry. That picture of New York City back in the day represents, to me, challenging the status quo. Why I chose that photo is because I'm just in love with the companies who come up with disruptive business models. And fundamentally change the way people look at an industry. And the way that the interact with the products. I never would have thought we'd see the day. But things like, for example, an ecosystem... It fundamentally changes the way printers, suppliers and end consumers, all those traditional relationships, how they interact. And not to accept something just because that's the way that it's always been.

Nick Bruno speaks with Pat McGrew at #HID25 about the coatings they offer in the digital space and explains that they have learned a lot from the offset space and have also worked with several partners throughout the years. They also discuss the competitiveness and sustainability perspective of using coatings over laminations, so dig in and learn!

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-benkovich/

In this Conversations, VP Portfolio Product Management, Nick Benkovich, shares his views and insights on how eProductivity Software plays an immense role in the future of - well - essentially all software needed in the graphics arts industry. You will ALSO get to know more about Nick Benkovich as a human being - and what drives him as a leader in our industry—interviewed by INKISH Editor-in-Chief Morten B. Reitoft in a very open-minded conversation. Enjoy!

At Printing United in Orlando, Pat McGrew from INKISH speaks with Nick Benkovich from eProductivity Software (now under the CAI Graphic Communications banner) about the company’s direction, its embrace of AI, and the ongoing evolution of MIS and workflow automation. Benkovich emphasizes that while the name may have changed, “the people are the same, the products are the same — and what changes is the level of investment.” He explains that continuous development, customer feedback, and a strong user community are what keep their solutions ahead in a fast-changing print technology landscape. “Software is about people — the people who build it, support it, and use it,” he says. “That’s what drives innovation.” AI plays an increasingly central role for both users and developers. Benkovich describes how artificial intelligence helps simplify complex quoting processes, support onboarding, and accelerate internal software development. “I think of AI as a smart friend who taps you on the shoulder and says, ‘You could do this better,’” he explains. “We use it every day.” Looking ahead to the company’s Connect event, Benkovich says customers can expect “evolution, not revolution,” with genuine, production-ready AI rolling out across the portfolio. “By February, many of our customers will be running real AI in production — not just marketing hype,” he adds. Discussing Nubium, the company’s cloud-based MIS introduced last year, Benkovich notes its rapid adoption across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K. “The feedback has been phenomenal,” he says. “You can be up and running in about a month, with built-in training and live support. For smaller print shops, that flexibility is a game-changer.” Benkovich concludes by reassuring customers that the company’s mission remains constant despite the new branding. “Keep doing what we’ve always done — stay committed to our customers, keep listening, and keep improving. The opportunity ahead of us is huge, and we’re ready for it.”

In this interview with Stefan Hunkeler, we discuss the Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023. It takes place in beautiful Lucern in Switzerland, February 27th - March 2nd, 2023 - and we can't wait! Hunkeler Innovationdays has grown to become one of the most important events in the industry but had to postpone, like everybody else, because of the pandemic. Now it's the point of no return, and exhibitors and many customers are planning to attend the maybe only end-to-end event for digital print/finishing. INKISH will be covering Innovationdays intensively and will also talk to many of the vendors exhibiting before the event to encourage you to attend. Registration opens November 2nd, and it's a must-attend event, to be honest! Enjoy!

Everybody is shouting for labor, but what is the long-term solution to the labor shortage? In hall two at IGAS, one booth looked considerably different from all the other booths. There was an education stage sponsored by several OEMs and branded Think Smart Factory. On stage during the day's many presentations, but outside the stage area, there was a technology show-off with a Horizon BQ-binder and an HT-three-side knife wrapped in a cool anima-style design. The solution was entirely managed by two robot arms and one AGV. Bryan Takano from Horizon explains that it's a technology show-off to show young people about opportunities in the printing industry. By combining art and technology, more will likely be interested. Behind the technology show-off, a huge fantastic painting was shown. In front, some really cool, very large print samples using different technologies were among the draws for the passing audience. But see for yourself, Jan Majnik (INKISH Filmer) captured some really nice views of both!

Deutscher version Cilgia Gremper shares her journey growing up inside a print business that never settles for “impossible.” Cilgia's father started working at the printing company in 1991, took over the company in 1997, and renamed it Gremper AG. Gremper moved into its current home in 2008 and has continued to evolve since then. In 2021, Cilgia took over leadership — continuing a legacy built on passion, trust, and constant curiosity. Cilgia reflects on learning print from the inside out. As a child, she and her sister spent school vacations on the shop floor, exploring open Heidelberg machines and learning from printers who took the time to teach. But joining the company professionally in 2018 wasn’t easy. She felt lost at first, unsure where she fit — until projects and experience slowly revealed her path. Today, Cilgia leads a team known for pushing boundaries. While others say “it can’t be done,” they thrive on finding solutions. Rather than chasing volume or low-cost production, their work focuses on high-value print crafted for clients who appreciate paper, detail, and tactile experience. From pre-press collaboration to finishing, the goal is to elevate every project into something memorable. Cilgia describes an environment filled with technology, precision, and constant learning: humidity, temperature, specialty machines, and the complexities of modern production. Success, she says, depends on good partners, open dialogue, and trust. That mindset guided their investment into digital inkjet technology — specifically, offset-quality inkjet from Heidelberg. While there are limitations in format and color, the results impressed them: outstanding quality comparable to their finest offset work. It has opened new possibilities, especially when combining processes — offset for content, inkjet for covers, or mixing both to create unique outcomes. The adoption hasn’t been without challenges. With close collaboration between their team and Heidelberg technicians, they worked through early issues. Weekly exchanges and a shared learning spirit helped transform uncertainties into progress. Not every job is suited for inkjet, and every day still requires evaluating what is best printed on which technology. Inkjet offers power and flexibility, but offset remains essential — especially for cost-sensitive production. For Cilgia and her team, print is far more than reproduction. It’s about guiding clients, exploring possibilities, making thoughtful choices, and creating work that isn’t thrown away but experienced. Rooted in tradition yet open to change, they have built a company where curiosity and craftsmanship meet innovation — and where “impossible” is simply an invitation to try harder.

At the BOBST booth at LabelExpo we got the chance to meet with Patrick Graber from BOBST. We are in front of the DM340 talking about the success of the machine, but also the new digital white that give customers an extra option on the machine. But see the interview and learn :-)

First, you may ask yourself what Taxonomy is? Second, you may ask yourself why this at all is important to you? PRINTING United Alliance in the US recently announced a new Taxonomy initiative that essentially will develop a new taxonomy paradigm for printed products, services, technologies - and the impact is vast. Taxonomy is used to build logical groups and entities known from how books in a library are organized. This is a VERY important initiative, and right after the announcement, we reached out to David Zwang and Marco Boer to hear more about the project and, of course, their views on the potential impact. Enjoy!

Danjel Jungersen is the CIO/CTO of a small family-owned printing company in the suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company survives on excellent service, fast turn-around time and high quality but regardless of these virtues the company needs to invest in the future. Danjel Jungersen has for some time been wondering about what steps to take to be profitable and able to deliver what the clients needs - and the decision investing in Heidelberg Prinect was decided - also based on the new SaaS model offered by Heidelberg. We met with Jacob Hededam Hummel and Brian Thorsgaard Hansen from Heidelberg at Jungersen Grafisk to talk about why Prinect in their opinions is the right choice. To visit a small printing company with 6-7 people employed a full-featured Prinect solution isn't the most common thing for us to run into but its always interesting to see the many different approaches to the future many different printing companies choose. Workflow is always a very hot topic on INKISH.TV, so enjoy this episode and hopefully find inspiration for your own printing company!

Back in March (2019) we covered Deborah Corn's Project Peacock Print Fair and reached out to our network to see if we could find a printing company interested in talking to us while being in the area. Fortunately for us – and our audience – we got in contact with 'Command Digital' in New Jersey and made this fantastic film from there. 'Command Digital' is a division of the 'Command Companies' who produce books in both digital and analog plus printing of Health Care, Pharmaceuticals, and financial services. In this film, both President Nicholas Brusco and Executive Vice President Dale Williams talk about their company, and the services they offer. This is one of our BEST films, and we are very proud of both the story as well as what our recent investments in equipment achieve.   Subtitled versions: Chinese German Hindi Italian Russian Spanish

Domino Digital Printing was pretty busy during the second day. Demos of three different machines, hereunder an entirely new machine introduced at LabelExpo. We got a chance to talk with Emily Kroll about print samples, 1200 DPI as a competitive advantage, and of course, a guided tour of the new machine. Enjoy the tour - it was really fun. Thank you, Emily!

Workflow/automation is becoming increasingly important in all segments of our industry. At PLASTGrommet's booth at PRINTING United, we got to talk to Rob Harris from CSI Printing & Graphics from the D.C. area. Harris speaks about his recent investment in PLASTGrommet and his expectations - great product - great customer!

The new MPrint C4 Compact sounds almost like the name of a new car, but it's not. The C4 Compact is a UV-coated 4-color printing device that can be fitted onto any existing Flexopress, essentially turning the Flexopress into a hybrid machine. Super nice idea that should be THE option many are looking for. Mprint is a company owned by Kurz, and they develop some pretty nice technology. A small four-color label printer was presented when we met with Achim Herzog at the IST UV-Days just a few months ago. Still, at LabelExpo, they introduced the 4C Compact, which, in our opinion, probably should have won the prize for best new business idea! Many excellent digital print bars/print heads are mounted on flexo presses. Still, with the Mprint 4C Compact, Mprint has developed a 4-color printer that can be mounted on almost any flexo press and essentially turn the machine into a flexo press with digital printing capabilities. Herzog emphasizes the potential, and well - it's a super great idea! LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/achimherzog/

Friedmann is an amazing printing company. Of course, they have machines seen elsewhere, but it's an entirely new building, and the company produces applications you don't see everywhere. The company produces photo books, puzzles, and cards. All are produced digitally and in copies down to one. CEO Michael Schmid tells about dramatic changes COVID forced the company to make simply because some of the produces disappeared almost overnight. While visiting Friedmann, we got the chance to see the new Horizon BQ500 - an iteration of the previous and extremely popular BQ series. With BQ500 installed with variable gauze, and endpaper feeders, along with more automation, the machine serves Friedmann well. It's always exciting to see new technology at work, and BQ500 as a binder should be interesting for many.    

At LabelExpo Xeikon shows off with a range of new products, updates, and a super nice booth. Filip Weymans talk about Xeikon offerings, but of course, we also talk about the new Xeikon Lion.

The annual Online Print Symposium is about gathering some of the smartest minds to share information and knowledge about online printing. One of the exhibitors this year was Anna Oñate, who is the CEO & Founder of OctoBoost. OctoBoost is a software company that deliver various online print solutions. One of the quite exciting products is called OctoSprint, which help printers to optimize their production. But instead of reading, you should watch it. Enjoy!

You see GEW everywhere - and they support conventional mercury-based UV and LED-UV. In this film, Director of Sales & Service Marcus Greenbrook explains how easy it is to shift from mercury to LED if you have a GEW frame and how LED UV is becoming increasingly important for converters. Now GEW is part of the EcoFlexo group. Each member remains an independent company but can offer end-to-end solutions by working together. EcoFlexo has the following members besides GEW - Hamillroad, COE, MPS, and Zeller + GMelin. We produced a film from each EcoFlexo member while in The Netherlands. For further information, visit the EcoFlexo website: www.ecoflexo.net

Die Geschichte von Gremper reicht weit zurück. Auch wenn die ältesten Unterlagen bis in die 1930er Jahre zurückgehen, begann die jüngere Entwicklung 1991, als Cilgias Vater in die damalige Offsetdruckerei Gert Eminger in Basel eintrat. 1997 wurde daraus die Gremper AG, 2008 folgte der Umzug nach Pratteln in eine moderne Produktionshalle. 2018 stieg Cilgia in das Unternehmen ein, 2021 übernahm sie die Leitung. Familie, Tradition und eine klare Zukunftsvision prägen das Unternehmen – die Eltern sind weiterhin aktiv dabei. Cilgia erzählt offen, wie sie bereits als Kind in der Druckerei unterwegs war: Samstags mit dem Vater zur Arbeit, Mittagessen im McDonald’s, Versteckspiele im Papierlager. Später half sie während der Schulferien in der Produktion mit. Auch während des Studiums blieb sie dem Unternehmen verbunden – und doch führte sie ihr Weg zunächst in andere Bereiche: Marktforschung, Kommunikation, IT-Projekte. Erst Jahre später kehrte sie zurück, mit neuem Blick und wertvollen Erfahrungen. Der Einstieg war herausfordernd. Nach einer intensiven Position in einem großen IT-Projekt kam sie in ein Umfeld, in dem alle ausgelastet waren und niemand Zeit hatte, sie einzuarbeiten. Projekte musste sie sich selbst schaffen: Datenschutz-Zertifizierung, Nachhaltigkeitsinitiativen, Personalthemen, Betreuung von Lernenden und vieles mehr. Schritt für Schritt fand sie ihren Platz, lernte von Projekt zu Projekt und baute ihr Wissen in Technik, Prozessen und Produktion kontinuierlich aus. Heute steht Gremper für umfassenden Service: von Beratung und Vorstufe über den Druck bis hin zu Weiterverarbeitung, Veredelung und Versand. Alles unter einem Dach – ein Alleinstellungsmerkmal, das in der Schweiz nur wenige bieten. Qualität, Termine und Kalkulation bleiben so im Griff. Entscheidend ist für Cilgia aber die Nähe zum Kunden: beraten, mitdenken, schulen, Lösungen finden. Viele Kundinnen und Kunden schätzen genau das. Selbst Kurse zur Datenaufbereitung finden vor Ort statt. Ein zentraler Schritt war die Einführung modernster Inkjet-Technologie von Heidelberg. Jahrzehntelang war sie ein Traum ihres Vaters, doch erst jetzt stimmte alles: Qualität, Produktivität, Nachhaltigkeit. Obwohl Gremper ursprünglich lieber im B2-Format gestartet wäre, überzeugte die B3-Maschine als richtiger Anfang. Der Übergang war anspruchsvoll – zwei Offsetmaschinen wurden ausgebaut, zwei neue Anlagen installiert. Es war ein Lernprozess für alle: Vorstufe, Offsetdrucker, Produktionsteams. Tinte ist teuer, daher muss genau entschieden werden, welche Jobs digital und welche im Offset druckt. Doch die Ergebnisse sind beeindruckend: Offset- und Inkjet-Produktion lassen sich kombinieren, Pantone-Ziele sind erreichbar, und Kunden können direkt an der Maschine abstimmen. Für einfache, günstige Produkte bleibt Toner weiterhin eine Option – aber Premium-Inkjet hat sich klar etabliert. Offset bleibt dennoch ein zentraler Pfeiler. Von mehrsprachigen Produktionen bis zu spezialisierten Veredelungen: Gremper findet für jede Aufgabe die passende Lösung. Kunden müssen nicht entscheiden, welche Technologie zum Einsatz kommt – sie sehen keinen Unterschied, und das ist das Ziel. Ein neues Kapitel im Familienunternehmen – geprägt von Innovation, Kompetenz und dem Willen, den ganzen Weg mit dem Kunden zu gehen: von der Idee zum perfekten Produkt.

In this chat with Néstor Pascual from People & Technology, he explains the technology P&T delivers to the market, from test printers to printhead cleaning devices. At IST UV-Days, People & Technology will show their equipment to the attendees.

Does the PreDrupa press event work well from a media perspective if you want to cover new products and services as much as possible in a short period? We spoke with Nessan Cleary, one of our industry's best journalists — listen!

In this thoughtful and candid conversation, Nessan Cleary reflects on recognition, journalistic integrity, independence, and the evolving media landscape in the printing industry. When asked about being selected as an honoree at the NON-EVENT, Cleary admits he was genuinely surprised. Known for his humility and relative privacy, he did not expect the recognition. While he appreciates being noticed, he remains pragmatic about awards, viewing them as a pleasant acknowledgment rather than a defining milestone. For him, professional validation has always been secondary to doing the work properly. Trained in newspaper journalism with a postgraduate qualification, Cleary explains that his unbiased, methodical approach is not something he developed over time but simply the craft he was taught. He draws a clear line between journalism and marketing, emphasizing that he deliberately chose to fund his work independently rather than accept sponsorship or funding from the companies he covers. That decision, while financially challenging, gives him complete editorial freedom — something he considers far more valuable than commercial security. The conversation explores how journalism has changed, particularly in terms of speed, global publishing cycles, and audience expectations. While publishing is faster today, Cleary believes depth still matters more than immediacy. He does not rely heavily on analytics; instead, he judges impact by direct reader feedback. Some stories that require significant effort generate little response, while others unexpectedly resonate widely — a reminder that audience engagement is often unpredictable. He also reflects on major investigative work, including coverage of controversial business dealings in the industry. Those stories highlighted both the limitations of working independently and the importance of due diligence, following the money, and maintaining journalistic standards even when navigating legally sensitive territory. Collaboration with other journalists during those investigations proved both unusual and valuable in an industry where competition is often the norm. Beyond journalism, Cleary shares insights into his personal life — his love of cooking, his diverse musical tastes ranging from classical and jazz to punk and rock, and how he uses rhythmic elements in music to shape his writing process. A former music journalist before moving into print technology, he approaches both fields with curiosity and technical interest. Printing, he notes, uniquely combines mechanical engineering with advanced digital systems — a blend that continues to fascinate him. Despite decades in the industry, he remains driven by the core principle that people need reliable, in-depth information. Technologies evolve, publishing platforms change, and reading habits shift from print to desktop to mobile, but the need for accurate, independent reporting remains. In his view, version “2.0” of journalism is not about reinvention — it is about maintaining integrity while adapting to new formats. The discussion concludes with reflections on industry events, collaboration, and the value of creating spaces where people can exchange ideas openly. For Cleary, the most important thing remains clear: follow the money, maintain independence, and provide readers with information they can trust.

Nele Van Den Haesevelde is responsible for customer success, which essentially means that after a solution has been delivered to a customer, she and her team follow up with the customer to ensure satisfaction. Great approach!