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At PRINTING United 2026 in Las Vegas, Wayne Beckett meets one of the newest people in the printing industry: Melissa Bennett from Plockmatic Group. And when we say new, we mean new. Melissa is only in her third week with Plockmatic; this is her first job in print, and PRINTING United is her first-ever printing trade show. Coming from the construction industry, she has been thrown directly into a completely different world of substrates, finishing, digital cutting, and packaging. Her new role focuses on growing Plockmatic's digital packaging business in North America, including sheet-fed digital cutters, label finishing and flatbed cutting systems. What attracted Melissa wasn't simply another sales position. After seeing the equipment running, she immediately recognized the possibilities behind digital cutting — particularly the ability to produce short-run packaging, labels, prototypes and other applications without conventional dies or lengthy setup. And although she's new to the industry, she's already hearing something encouraging from customers. Many of the conversations at PRINTING United are with existing Plockmatic customers running older equipment who are now returning to explore the next generation of technology. For someone only weeks into the business, that's a pretty good introduction to the value of an installed base and long-term customer relationships. Wayne also gives Melissa perhaps the most important piece of trade-show advice she will ever receive: the sore feet don't go away. You simply get better at dealing with them. New industry. New company. First trade show. And judging by Melissa's enthusiasm, probably not the last. Watch Wayne Beckett's conversation with Melissa Bennett from Plockmatic Group at PRINTING United 2026 in Las Vegas.

Meccanotecnica is a family-owned company located in Bergamo, about 40-50 minutes east of Milan. A beautiful landscape, the best food in the world, and then - in the middle of Bergamo, you find Meccanotecnica, where we meet with Stefano Formentini. We, of course, meet because of Drupa, but maybe more importantly because Mecannotecnica, known for its fantastic machines for sewn books - both offset and digital, is now introducing its first perfect binding machine - and what an entry. We go through the machine in this walkthrough so you can hear and see what makes this setup fantastic. Enjoy!

In this series of Coffee Breaks from Italian book-of-one software developer Bronte, Pat McGrew talks about the importance of workflow automation. Enjoy!

Folding solutions for the sheetfed offset, commercial print market, has been the core business model at MBO for over 50 years. 14 years ago MBO added additional modules to their portfolio allowing them to offer world class roll fed Inkjet print finishing solutions to the changing commercial print market. The same great folders and direct mail modules that serve the commercial print market, can be directly fed from a sheeted roll. In the recent years MBO has found great success in the high end commercial print, marketing asset, book and mailing segments. Our specialty is being able to build folding and finishing systems that provide one-step total finishing. Join us to learn of our most successful system configurations, along with the newest modules capable of embellishing the web prior to final folding and cutting.

INKISH hosted for the first time ever our NON-EVENT. The Non-event is celebrating the people that have been in front of the camera, or been supporting INKISH during the past years. This is a new recurring event, and the idea is to give space for the people we have featured to connect in a new way. We invited 150 people, and 32 decided to join us. Our guests came from Japan, Canada, USA, UK, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark - and we are confident that next year, even more, will come. We asked most of our participants to talk LIVE during the dinner - and here is Maya Staels from Belgium. Maya Staels has worked with PR for many years, and both with established PR-companies, leading to developing her own PR-company. Among the customers from the printing industry, you find Kornit, Memjet, and CHILI publish. Enjoy!

Direct mail is the third largest media channel in the UK after TV and digital, worth an estimated £1.7bn annually. COVID has seen a great resurgence in brands turning to mail as a trusted way to communicate with clients whilst the majority of people are working from home. But COVID aside, why in this day and age should you still use direct mail as part of your marketing mix and how can you use print to communicate successfully? Join us for an interactive and fun session hosted by The Dragonfly Agency’s Managing Director, Isla Munro who will talk us through the agency process from receiving the original client brief to delivering an engaging mailpack through the letterbox. She will shine a focus on print technologies and opportunities which help to acquire and retain clients.

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets Max Allen from Graphic Whizard, the Canadian finishing equipment manufacturer known for its compact, innovative solutions tailored to digital and short-run print environments. Morten notes that Graphic Whizard has carved out a distinctive position in the market: “Everything here is a little more compact,” he says, “but it seems you’ve found a niche where you’re very successful.” Max introduces the DF0906MT digital die cutter, one of four models in the company’s range. “What we’re really doing,” Max explains, “is bringing digital production into digital finishing. Instead of building expensive metal dies for every new job, you just load a PDF, and the system’s ready to go. There’s no tooling cost and no setup time.” The DF0906MT handles short-run packaging, labels, and stickers, and can run both sheets and rolls. “Traditionally, you needed an experienced bindery operator for this type of work,” Max says, “but those employees are aging out. Now, a single operator can handle digital finishing with minimal training. The machine does the hard part.” All the sample pieces displayed in the booth — from foam-core signs to packaging prototypes — were produced on the same machine. “We even install these in smaller spaces,” Max says with a smile. “We’ve put them in church basements. They’re ideal for in-plant environments, universities, franchise print shops — anywhere you need fast, flexible finishing.” Beyond production, Max highlights another strength: prototyping. “Packaging sells products, but prototypes sell packaging,” he says. “Larger companies use this machine to produce prototypes before going into full-scale runs. It’s small enough for short runs but powerful enough for professional output.” The DF0906MT can kiss-cut, through-cut, score, and perforate up to 24-point stock, and even handle materials up to six millimeters thick. It supports more than 100 tool options, though, as Max explains, “Most users stick with the standard configuration because it does almost everything they need.” Morten then points to a larger model with “a little more bling.” Max laughs and explains that it’s the heavy-duty version, designed for harder materials like acrylic, aluminum, MDF, and wood. “It’s a natural evolution,” he says. “Customers love the smaller digital die cutters, and when they’re ready to expand into signage or more industrial materials, this is the next step.” Max emphasizes that the workflow and tooling remain consistent across models. “That’s a big advantage,” he says. “A commercial printer doing both digital and wide-format can handle everything on one platform. It saves space, time, and investment.” As the conversation wraps up, Morten laughs: “It must be fun selling this stuff.” Max grins. “It absolutely is. When customers realize what they can do with these machines — how much flexibility and creativity they gain — it’s an easy conversation.” Morten concludes, “Compact, clever, and clearly built for the digital printer — Graphic Whizard’s solutions prove that smaller can definitely mean smarter.”

At PRINTING United 2026 in Las Vegas, Pat McGrew meets Max Allen from Graphic Whizard — a company with such a broad finishing portfolio that describing it in an elevator pitch is almost impossible. From slitting, cutting and creasing to laminating, perfect binding, booklet making, digital die cutting and wide-format routing, Graphic Whizard focuses on what happens after the print leaves the press. And with around 65 machines across the complete portfolio, there is usually something relevant for almost every digital or wide-format printer. But the conversation isn't really about having more machines. It's about reducing touchpoints, lowering labor requirements and finding ways to automate finishing that may still be highly manual today. Max explains that customers typically come to Graphic Whizard from two directions. Some are replacing existing equipment and looking for more automation, while others are trying to expand their businesses into applications they don't currently offer — perhaps adding perfect binding, embellishment, wide-format cutting or a small digital finishing department. And increasingly, those traditional boundaries are disappearing. Wide-format companies are adding digital cut-sheet capabilities, while commercial printers are moving into signage, rigid materials and other wide-format applications. Graphic Whizard therefore sees significant crossover between its different product ranges, with some equipment capable of supporting applications on both sides. Workflow also plays an important role. Graphic Whizard integrates with specialist software partners for applications such as imposition, barcode-driven production and registration, rather than attempting to build every piece of the workflow itself. For Max, the objective is straightforward: understand what the customer is trying to produce and then find the simplest way to automate it. Less handling. Less setup. More applications. And more finished products out the door. Watch Pat McGrew's conversation with Max Allen from Graphic Whizard at PRINTING United 2026 in Las Vegas.

English description below: Desde FESPA México 2026, Claudia Mendoza conversa con Mauricio Lomelín, de Kyocera, sobre la evolución de la impresión digital, las nuevas oportunidades para la industria gráfica y la estrategia de la compañía para ampliar su presencia en el mercado de impresión de producción. Mauricio presenta la TASKalfa Pro 15000c, conocida como Victoria, un equipo de inyección de tinta con tecnología propia de Kyocera, capaz de producir hasta 150 páginas por minuto y alcanzar volúmenes de un millón de páginas mensuales. Con aproximadamente 30 equipos instalados en México y 1.000 a nivel mundial, según Mauricio, la compañía continúa consolidando su presencia en aplicaciones como la producción de libros, los documentos transaccionales y la impresión de grandes volúmenes. La conversación también presenta Nova, la nueva propuesta de equipos de producción láser de Kyocera, diseñada para complementar la tecnología inkjet. Mauricio explica cómo la combinación de ambas tecnologías permite a los impresores desarrollar procesos de producción más flexibles, reducir costos operativos y avanzar hacia la impresión bajo demanda. La sustentabilidad, la eficiencia energética, la integración de software y la transición de la impresión tradicional a la digital completan una entrevista que muestra las oportunidades que Kyocera identifica para el futuro de las artes gráficas. --- At FESPA Mexico 2026, Claudia Mendoza speaks with Mauricio Lomelín from Kyocera about the company's expanding presence in production printing and the growing opportunities for print service providers transitioning from conventional to digital technologies. Mauricio introduces the TASKalfa Pro 15000c, nicknamed Victoria, a high-volume inkjet press powered by Kyocera's proprietary printhead technology. Capable of producing up to 150 pages per minute and handling monthly volumes of up to one million pages, the system targets applications ranging from book production to transactional documents. According to Mauricio, Kyocera has approximately 30 installations in Mexico and recently reached 1,000 installations worldwide. The interview also explores Nova, Kyocera's new production toner systems, which complement its inkjet technology and enable printers to combine different production methods. Mauricio discusses how these solutions support the transition toward digital and on-demand printing while emphasizing low operating costs, productivity, and workflow integration. Sustainability, energy efficiency, variable data printing, and Kyocera's broader ambitions in the graphic arts industry are central themes in a conversation about the changing requirements of modern print production.

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Cathy Bittner and Tino Waegelein from Canon EMEA about a topic that is becoming increasingly important in modern print production: workflow. While much attention in the industry is focused on presses and print quality, Bittner and Waegelein argue that the future of productivity lies in understanding and optimizing the entire production process—from order intake to final delivery. Rather than taking a print-centric view, Canon is encouraging customers to adopt an end-to-end workflow mindset that considers every step in the value chain. A fascinating part of the discussion revolves around Canon's "End-to-End Experience," a methodology that uses physical building blocks and gamification techniques to visualize workflows, identify bottlenecks, and uncover opportunities for improvement. Originally developed as a teaching tool, the concept has evolved into a practical framework for helping customers understand complex production environments and make better decisions about automation and integration. The conversation also explores workflow openness, software integration, cloud-based solutions, strategic partnerships, and the importance of connecting specialized technologies rather than forcing customers into closed ecosystems. Canon's approach, according to Bittner and Waegelein, starts with understanding customer requirements before recommending the right combination of software, services, and production technologies. Finally, the discussion turns to artificial intelligence and whether AI may one day design and manage workflows on its own. While both see enormous potential for AI as a productivity tool, they believe human expertise, decision-making, and oversight will remain critical components of successful print production for years to come. This is a thoughtful conversation about workflow, automation, integration, and why the future of print may be less about individual devices and more about how everything works together.

In times when virtual, hybrid, and online have become important topics in our industry, printing-expo.online grows with more 'halls,' 'exhibition space,' and exhibitors. In this film, Wayne Beckett from printing-expo.online and editor Morten B. Reitoft talk about the platform's background and how Wayne Beckett sees themselves in the marketing mix. Printing-Expo.online was planned before the pandemic but landed at a time when online was the only option. Wayne Beckett also comments on how their platform has become an asset used at the physical tradeshows! Enjoy!

Matthieu Delessard has a story to tell. It is about what can happen when you automate and optimize your print processes from end to end. The Smart Factory is one software ecosystem that enables printers, OEMs, and resellers to bring a variety of solutions together to maximize efficiency from order entry to delivery.

At SHIFT in Heidelberg, Morten B. Reitoft meets Matthias from Goldach in Switzerland — a printing company owner who has transformed a traditional print business into a broader communication and automation company. Today, the company covers much more than print. Its activities include online and print services, B2B shops, software development, process automation, digital printing, inkjet printing, lettershop, and logistics. The goal is to manage as much of the communication chain as possible for its customers. Matthias is also presenting at SHIFT, where he shares an important message for smaller printing companies: automation is no longer something reserved for the largest players. With 34 employees, his company has built highly automated workflows that allow jobs ordered through B2B shops to move through the system, into Prinect Touch Free, and all the way to production with almost no human intervention. The first person involved may only see the job when it is ready to run on a Jetfire. For Matthias, automation is not primarily about reducing staff. It is about producing faster, more efficiently, and with greater process security — while creating a better working environment for the people already in the company. The conversation also touches on succession. Matthias’ son and daughter are expected to take over the business one day, and he sees automation and continued development as part of preparing the company for the next generation.

Good conversation with the renowned UPM paper makers . We dig into the necessity of a robust player in the market, one that meets the demands for high-quality papers tailored for online print systems. We chatted with Matthias Reh, Director of Sales at Digital Printing Papers, about how the paper industry needs to provide and cater to an evolving market.

Matthias Miederer and Morten Reitoft discuss the developments at KAMA and their plans for Drupa 2024. Miederer, who started working for KAMA as the Head of Product Management earlier this year, explains his role in strengthening the link between sales and development. He introduces KAMA as a supplier of post-press finishing solutions, focusing on tailored solutions for short to medium-run finishing, especially targeting the digital printing market. Reitoft showcases a product from KAMA's customer, Studio on Fire, emphasizing the added value and quality KAMA's equipment brings to print products. Miederer agrees, highlighting the company's commitment to providing efficient finishing solutions that help customers offer more to their clients and gain new jobs. They discuss KAMA's new product, the Hammerhead, a digital embellishment machine capable of coatings/varnishes and metallization. Miederer explains that the Hammerhead continues KAMA's tradition of building solid, robust machines while integrating efficiency and speed for digital embellishment. The machine offers a B2 platform ready for B1 and can run at 5,700 sheets per hour, making it flexible and suitable for various production needs. Reitoft asks about the potential market for digital embellishment. Miederer acknowledges the slow growth compared to digital printing but sees increasing interest and adoption. He emphasizes the need to educate graphic designers and the benefits of digital embellishment in offering flexible, tool-free, and unique finishes compared to traditional methods. They then discuss the FlexFold, KAMA's high-speed folding and gluing machine with a high level of automation. Miederer highlights its quick setup times and suitability for the pharmaceutical market with built-in Braille functionality. He mentions that KAMA will showcase the ProCut 76, FlexFold, Hammerhead videos and samples, and animations of new robotic solutions at Drupa. The conversation wraps up with Reitoft noting the importance of KAMA's solutions and looking forward to seeing Miederer at Drupa in two weeks.  

You join Jacques Michiels for an interview with COO Matthias Heinz from Ctrl-s as we explore the fascinating world of its spiderwebs on the way to a lights-out production. In such scenarios, staying ahead with automation and seamlessly connecting all your operating systems is crucial. But the question arises: Do you need an integrator or a software compan y? Let’s dive in and discover what Ctrl-s has to say about this.

It is always a pleasure talking to Matthias Heinz from CTRL-S. At Hunkeler Innovationdays, you should also take the opportunity to learn from what CTRL-S is offering. In this film, COO Matthias Heinz explains how you can use CTRL-S to automate your production—not only your prepress.

Wayne Beckett talks with Matthias Heinz COO of Ctrl-s about their software and their ability to strive for full lights out production.

Matthias Heinz is a member of CIP4 and with standardization of hardware/software - will it not take away from his company CTRL+S? Well, listen to his answers here!

Workflow is more than managing a single product stream in most shops. Symphony is the orchestration tool that conducts the production streams through the most efficient pathways. Matze Heinz explains how orchestration is essential in a modern online print workflow.

At the HEIDELBERG SHIFT event in Heidelberg, we met with Matthias Heinz from Ctrl-S to talk about something that increasingly defines the future of our industry: the ability to learn, adapt, and turn new ideas into practical projects. For Ctrl-S, events like SHIFT are not only about presenting solutions. They are just as much about listening to other industries, understanding new approaches, and identifying ideas that can be applied to print. Topics such as structured data, specifications, Factory-X, and AI are becoming increasingly important, and Matthias points out that many of these developments require more than technology alone. They require the right mindset and an organization capable of moving quickly. That agility is one of the advantages of being a smaller company. With AI lowering some of the traditional barriers to development, speed is increasingly determined not by the number of employees, but by how quickly a company can make decisions, experiment, and turn knowledge into working solutions. We also talk about Ctrl-S projects with larger printing companies, where the challenge is often to transform complex systems in the background while keeping the user experience familiar and simple. In faster-growing companies, the expectation can be very different: bring the best ideas, best practices, and experience from previous projects and help them move forward as quickly as possible. For Matthias, the value of SHIFT is therefore found in the combination of learning, networking, and conversations that may eventually develop into new projects. And, of course, the conversation ends with another event already on the calendar: FLOW in Germany, November 3–5, where Ctrl-S will also be part of the discussion around software, automation, workflow, and the future of print. #INKISH #HEIDELBERG #SHIFT #CtrlS #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #WorkflowAutomation #DigitalTransformation #FactoryX #PrintingIndustry #FLOW

Head of Marketing Matthias Annaheim show the 46 meter long Canon/Hunkeler solution - impressive - end-to-end :-) LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiasannaheim/

Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 is about connecting, and you, of course, see Hunkeler equipment connecting printing presses with binding equipment everywhere. You also see Hunkeler equipment at Hunkeler's large booth in hall 2. In this video, Matthias Annaheim and Jonas Zürcher deliver a well-prepared presentation of GEN8EVO and the cut-sheet product now under Zürcher's young, steady hand. It was an excellent presentation and great to learn from; well done, chaps!

Matthew Pullen works for Meteor Inkjet, and designs and produces the controller hard- and software enabling the print to hit the printheads in the right order, and fast enough! Matthew Pullen in particular works with the Meteor DropWatcher that compares the expected output with the actual output and enables through software to correct eventual errors on the go. Amazing what technology can do to maximize profitability. Enjoy!