Soon after the pandemic got its grip on the world, the British Web-to-Print company Vpress started The Crown Pub. Two times a week, the pub opened its doors for users to discuss meaningful subjects. Rarely the topics were about anything relating to Vpress and their products. Regardless Kelvin Bell and his team continued the pub, and in this session, we talk to Kelvin Bell, whether this is just REALLY smart marketing, will this format continue forever, and what has the take-aways been for Vpress.

Paul is a friend, and if you are not connected with him, you should. Paul Gardner owns the second-largest print group on LinkedIn, with more than 120,000 members and a quite active community. He is the Director of Operations with AlphaGraphics, Sandy, in Utah daily. Whenever we are in Salt Lake City, we get a chance to meet with Paul, have some great food, and talk about the industry - and, of course, we had to interview one of the people who connects the most people in this industry. Please subscribe to Digital Printing and connect with Paul Gardner. Before doing so, please watch the film :-) LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/100048/

At any open house, the presenter/moderator makes the day flow. With the BHS Open House, the woman that 'glued' the event together was Katharina Aguilar, a professional presenter and moderator. We got the opportunity to ask her how much she had to prepare and understand the customer, and we believe you'll find this interview great. Enjoy!

Kasper is the second printing company in the world, being cradle-to-cradle compliant. In this session we hear about the journey, why it's important, and how it can be good business! LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasper-larsen-b230252/

At the Horizon Finishing First event, one of the Horizon partners was the German workflow software specialist Impressed. Impressed has for 30 years delivered workflow solutions from Ultimate TechnoGraphics, Enfocus, and software for color management - pretty much all the needed software on the pre-press side. At the Finishing First event, Karsten Schwarze demonstrated the Impressed Server platform, which converts and streamlines the XML data. The software is super interesting for companies with multiple input data sources, but see the presentation and learn!

Karsten Kejlhof talks about Lundberg Tech supplying a waste management system to a printing and converting line demonstrated at Labelexpo Americas 2024 by Martin Automatic, ETI Converting, and Lemu Group. The Danish company's technology allows converters to reduce downtime by diverting matrix waste from the press and compacting it for more efficient disposal. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karstenkejlhof/

At the LabelExpo-Americas show, we got the chance to talk to CEO Kevin Karstedt from Karstedt & Partners, who today, Tuesday, September 20th, announced the company's acquisition by Keypoint Intelligence. Kevin Karstedt is well-known for the company's 20+ years of experience in packaging, and with his experience, he and his partner Jeff will be leading the packaging division at KPI. Super cool to meet Kevin Karstedt, and I am sure you will like the interview.

The KAMA ProCut76 is an amazing machine, and in the interview soon to be published on INKISH, the founder of Studio on Fire, Ben Levitz, explains how and why the KAMA ProCut76 is a game changer for the company - but in this film, we take the operators perspective. How easy is the ProCut to use, and what makes it stand out from similar machines in the market. Eric Ryan operates the ProCut76 and explains to Editor Morten B. Reitoft how it's used - and I am sure you will understand well - so sit back and enjoy!

Almost exactly a year ago we met ION Print and Kairit Parker for the first time. It was literally days before version 1 of ION Prints print broker platform was released. The software is made to help print brokers utilize printers, and instead of asking printers for quotes, ION Print automatically calculate the prices based on a large number of parameters. ION Print is out of Estonia, and for those who don't know, Estonia is one of the most developed IT-nations in the world. Now a year later, ION Print has been launched, and customers are using the platform daily. Listen and learn! 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!

In this conversation with Jutta Hendrikx and Hayco van Gaal from Canon Europe, we get a chance to talk about the new iX-series sheetfed inkjet printers from the global print-giant. We also get the very first view of the machine in action, filmed by Hayco van Gaal from their experience centre - so that's all very cool. 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!

In this 'Over the Skype' session Chief Co-creation Juriaan van Beelen of the online printing player - Print.com - talks with Jacques Michiels from INKISH Benelux about their business strategy, their focus on the professional market of Printers and print shops. Print.com offers online printing services in a "closed platform" and with App Connectivity. We talk about how Print.com see their own future and that of their customers, the Printers and Print providers in the BENELUX and the surrounding countries. All very interesting considerations and evolutions! We keep you Up to date! --- In deze 'Over the Skype' sessie spreekt Chief Co-creatie Juriaan van Beelen van de onlinedrukwerkspeler - Print.com met Jacques Michiels van INKISH Benelux over hun bedrijfsstrategie en hun focus op de professionele markt van drukkerijen en printshops. Print.com biedt online drukwerkservices in een "gesloten platform" en met App Connectivity. We praten samen over hoe zij hun eigen toekomst zien en die van hun klanten, zijnde de drukkerijen en Print providers in de BENELUX en haar omringende landen. Allemaal interessante overwegingen en evoluties! Hou dus samen met ons de vinger aan de pols!

We got the invite from our friends at Future School, as Shekar Balakrishna was awarded the first FOGRA certification in India. FOGRA celebrated and acknowledged this moment as the certificate was signed at the FOGRA booth. Enjoy the interview with Jürgen Gemeinhardt, and remember to see the interview with Shekar Balakrishna. Enjoy!

Julie Watson is the CEO of Ultimate TechnoGraphics based in Montreal, Canada. Since 1989 the company has focused on the imposition and was the first to introduce imposition using computers. Just imagine how many things have changed since then? Technology, customers, speed, CPU-power, Memory, and Julie Watson's career plan changed in 2008 when her father suddenly passed away at drupa in 2008. First, her mother, Joanne Watson, took over the leadership. Five years ago, Julie Watson became CEO of Ultimate Technographic - the company by some better known for their flag-ship software Impostrip. In this Conversation with Editor Morten B. Reitoft, Julie Watson shares her views on technology and why speed continues to be an essential factor in efficient workflow/automation. INKISH has months ahead of this interview filmed two Ultimate TechnoGraphics customers Print On Demand from Cape Town, South Africa, and Sendmoments from Germany. Print On Demand https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/pod/ Sendmoments https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/sendmoments/

Always excellent to see successful collaborations and our friends from Ultimate Tech and Horizon International is a brilliant example. This is being talked about in this Bonjour - but more interesting things - so dig in :-) LinkedIn Profiles: Julie Watson https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliew/ Yasuo Taketsugu https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasuo-taketsugu-55999134/

Ultimate Tech was the first company in the industry to use computers for imposition, and the signature software, Impostrip, is used globally by thousands of companies. In the past years, Ultimate Tech has developed products for binderies and large-format, and here at PRINTING United, the company shows its BestCut solution, helping operators optimize the guillotine work. As always super interesting listening to CEO Julie Watson.

Morten Reitoft and Julie Watson discuss Ultimate Tech's preparations and excitement for Drupa 2024. Watson highlights the company's recent activities, partnerships, and technology introductions. She explains that while Printing United was significant for introducing new technologies like the AI-driven cutting buddy and new nesting technologies, Drupa remains crucial for showcasing its latest innovations to a global audience. Watson mentions the upcoming releases, including the 2024.1 version of Impostrip with enhanced job organization features and compatibility with PDF X4 from the Ghent Workgroup. She also discusses their container version of Impostrip on AWS, demonstrating their commitment to cloud-based solutions. Ultimate Tech will showcase its full-featured solutions across multiple platforms (Linux, Mac, Windows). Reitoft asks about Ultimate Tech's integration capabilities, particularly with their Ultimate Bindery software, which automates finishing processes and supports over 85 devices. Watson explains that their drivers validate jobs and automate device setups, allowing seamless integration and reduced manual intervention. They discuss Impostrip/Bindery's scalability, highlighting its ability to handle high volumes of short-run digital print jobs efficiently. Watson emphasizes the importance of starting with automation and gradually integrating more processes and devices to enhance productivity. Watson also discusses integrating their solutions with other systems, such as MIS and Web2Print platforms, using APIs for open connectivity. She mentions their collaboration with Omikai to showcase an end-to-end workflow solution at Drupa. Reitoft and Watson conclude by discussing the logistical ease of being a software company at Drupa compared to hardware manufacturers and the historical significance of Ultimate Tech's participation since 1990. Watson shares a personal anecdote about her family’s long-standing involvement in the industry.

Your humble editor was late for this interview, but despite that, this conversation with CEO Julie Watson from Ultimate TechnoGraphics was really GREAT. The Canadian-based company, founded in 1989, is the developer behind the widely used software Impostrip. In this 'Over The Skype' session, CEO Julie Watson and editor Morten Reitoft speak about the newly released update of Impostrip, APIs, workflow/automation, the industry, and of course, where Julie Watson sees the future for her company. Great session - enjoy!

The VIGC Hackathon is an annual event organized by VIGC and EY. The purpose is to develop ideas for future solutions in a fun and competitive environment. In less than 48 hours, an idea changes from just an idea into something that can be presented to a jury and an audience. This year's Hackathon had twelve teams presenting exciting ideas - some more innovative and exciting than others - but the jury unanimously agreed on this year's winner. The winner is Julie Dumoulin with her Opinry. Opinry is a solution to help judge designs before being implemented into products - to ensure consistency and sellability! In this interview, we talk to the winner - and I am sure you will see passion and dedication to the very idea of being a young entrepreneur as well as a young woman that we believe can take Opinry to market. Enjoy! LinkedIn Profile

Since we at INKISH are always looking for interesting stories and new players, we wanted to learn more about JETRIX, a name we've seen more often lately. The Jetrix brand is actually owned by InkTec, a South Korean manufacturer of wide-format flatbed and roll-to-roll inkjet printers. They are focusing hard on the LFP market, and recently expanded to Europe and the US. Let's meet Julian Menell, helping them shape sales from Oxon, UK.

At the BHS Open House ´23, we met with the next generation of BHS, Julian Engel. 19 years old and on the edge of choosing a university, preparing himself for being the next generation owner and management for BHS. BHS is, as you will realize in the interviews we have done with his father, Lars Engel, and his uncle Christian Engel, driven by strong family values. But listen for yourself and get to know the next generation - another first here on INKISH, we believe :-)

At the 'Seiko Open Week 2022 event' people from all segments of the industry were represented. Juan Castells works with Itaca, one of the leading manufacturers of organic pigment. The pigments are used in both digital and analog inks and are quite interesting to learn and understand about the ink market - especially with a focus on tiles. Juan Castells also showcase examples of how other materials can be printed with the right mix of ink and printhead. The next venture is to digitally print vinyl and other products. Enjoy!

In this "Over the Skype" we talked to José Luis Bezaury, Managing Director of Litoplas, who tells us about the wide portfolio of solutions he offers in labels and packaging, as well as what has been the success factor of his company in 25 years of experience. En este "Over the Skype" entrevistamos a José Luis Bezaury, director general de Litoplas, quien nos habla acerca del amplio portafolio de soluciones que ofrece en etiquetas y empaques, así como cuál ha sido el factor de éxito de su empresa en 25 años de trayectoria.

In this Over the Skype session, Jacques Michiels from INKISH Benelux talks to an exciting gentleman, Jos Steutelings. Jos Steutelings is the Managing Director of VIGC, who, among other things, does events that have become very popular. In this interview, we discuss the Hackaton event; an event developed together with Ernst & Young. Innovation for the industry, and due to the COVID-19 virtual. Virtual enables this to be an event with a broader potential, so listen to the exciting conversation, and prepare yourself for a great event.

Interview in Dutch - subtitles in English. Wie eraan denkt om te (gaan) werken met LED UV kan zijn “licht” ;) - opsteken bij Sadechaf Benelux. Wie zijn zij? en welke expertise of oplossingen brengen ze naar voor als we willen drogen/curen met UV? Een zeer informatieve babbel, zonder te vervallen in een overkill aan té technische bewoordingen. Dit is er eentje voor de bezitters of toekomstige gebruikers van (led) UV systemen. -- EN -- For anyone who is thinking of working with LED UV Sadechaf will shed some “light” ;) on the situation. Who are they? and what expertise or solutions do they bring to the table if we want to dry/cure with UV? A very informative chat, without falling into an overkill of overly technical words. This is one for the owners or future users of (Led) UV systems.