At Printpack India 2025, Wayne Beckett will meet with Jun Sudo, President of Komori India, to discuss the company’s continued expansion and success in the Indian print market. With a strong presence in the commercial, packaging, and publishing sectors, Komori has solidified itself as a leading supplier of offset presses in the region. Jun Sudo highlights the company’s strategic growth, particularly in packaging, where demand for high-end, automated printing solutions rapidly increases. Introducing specialized models like the GL 40 Advanced EX and the SRA1-sized 637+ coater machine has allowed Komori to cater to India’s evolving market needs. Additionally, the shift toward automation is gaining traction, with customers increasingly opting for fully automated systems to improve efficiency and reduce waste. A key focus of the discussion is Komori’s commitment to sustainability. The company’s G-Series presses, designed for eco-friendly operation, have been instrumental in reducing power consumption and CO₂ emissions. Komori aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050, making sustainability a core part of its future strategy. The conversation also touches on Komori’s upcoming innovations in digital printing. While the IS29 has yet to gain a foothold in India, the company is preparing to introduce its latest digital press, the J-Trone 29, featuring Komori’s own engine, ink, and inkjet head. This marks an exciting step forward in Komori’s digital expansion, and the company plans to launch the product in the Indian market within the next year. This interview provides valuable insights into Komori’s technology, market approach, and sustainability initiatives for anyone looking to understand the future of printing in India.

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!

Julie explains that Ultimate has been investing heavily in R&D over the past few years, expanding its solutions beyond commercial print into new segments such as labels, digital packaging, and wide format. The company’s goal is to eliminate manual prepress work by enabling full hands-free automation from web storefronts or MIS systems through to printing and finishing. At the booth, they are demonstrating automated label production with an HP Indigo press and a GM LC350 laser die-cutter, showing how their software dynamically handles mixed jobs, different shapes, sizes, barcodes, and changeovers all on a single roll. Julie notes that digital printing is changing the market by enabling shorter runs, personalization, and mass customization, while also creating complexity from managing many SKUs and batches—something Ultimate’s solutions can fully automate. The system can even manage extended content labels such as pharmaceutical booklets and handle batching and separation for multi-customer rolls directly from CSV or MIS data, with no manual touch points. She highlights Ultimate’s unique strength in centralizing workflows: instead of separate imposition software tied to each device, Ultimate offers a unified platform that can drive diverse applications—commercial, mailing, books, labels, and wide format—through a single pipeline. This reduces training and maintenance complexity while improving scalability. Julie adds that while many customers still run Ultimate on-premise, the software can also run in the cloud, on Windows, Mac, or Linux servers, and can dynamically scale for peak seasons. This flexibility allows customers to start small, expand capacity when needed, and process maximum volumes during high-demand periods. She concludes that this approach helps converters accept more orders, shorten turnaround times, and boost revenue during peak seasons.

As always, I'm talking to CEO Julie Watson from Ultimate Tech. In this interview, we get insight into the Impostrip version 25 and Bindery version 25, shown at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 in Lucern. We also get a chance to talk about how the new breed of solutions, such as CoCoCo, Atomyx, GelatoConnect, and more, are influencing companies like Ultimate—are they an extension or a threat? As usual, you'll get all the answers straight from the CEO's mouth. Enjoy!

In the previous Ultimate Tech interview, we discussed the new version of Impostrip. We were honestly so busy that we didn't get a chance to talk to Julie Watson about the latest version of Ultimate Bindery, but Pat McGrew took the chance to talk and get the update, and here we are!

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!

Director of Marketing & Business Development Juan Cano talks about Screen in this interview. At Hunkeler Innovationdays Screen will present a newly updated and very fast 520 model, but also the very new 560 model - both machines built on a solid market position and excellent Japanese engineering. However, visit the Screen booth in Lucerne.

At Labelexpo Europe, we sat down with Juan Cano, Business Development Director at SCREEN, to talk about the next big shift in the print industry: moving from labels into flexible packaging. The label industry is evolving fast, and converters are under pressure to deliver sustainable, eye-catching, and versatile solutions. At Labelexpo 2025, SCREEN is demonstrating just how simple it can be to expand into flexible packaging without disrupting existing workflows. At SCREEN’s Flexible Packaging Corner, visitors can explore real-world printed samples on both paper and plastic film and discover how Truepress PAC Solutions integrate seamlessly into current label production lines. Juan shared valuable insights on SCREEN’s workhorse digital presses and its new water-based ink press, designed to deliver high quality, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. At the heart of SCREEN’s showcase is the Truepress PAC 520P—a digital inkjet press built to help converters branch into flexible packaging with minimal disruption. “Brands want packaging that’s sustainable and visually impactful,” says Juan. “Our solutions make that transition simple and profitable.” For converters exploring what’s next, SCREEN’s stand at Labelexpo 2025 is the place to experience the future of flexible packaging

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH sits down with his good friend Josh Romberg from MBO on the third day of the show. They both agree that this time, the conversation should dig deeper—no soft questions, just a real discussion about the market, the challenges, and the opportunities. Josh begins by describing MBO’s long history. The company’s roots are in commercial sheet folding, going back to the 1960s and continuing through the early 2000s with a strong focus on buckle folding, combi folding, and pharmaceutical folding. Around 2010 to 2015, especially in the United States, MBO shifted its focus toward the roll-fed finishing business. Today, roll-fed solutions lead their business in the U.S., complemented by rotary die-cutting with Bograma, the pharmaceutical and specialty folding division H+H, and MBO’s commercial folding machines. The system on display behind them represents MBO’s newest roll-fed finishing line, featuring zero-speed splicing, rotary cutting, die-cutting technology, dynamic perforating and scoring, and MBO’s signature folding integration. Morten then challenges Josh with a question: “The technology is amazing, but I can’t help thinking—you could sell more. Why don’t you?” Josh smiles. “It’s a fair question. We have one of the most talented sales and service teams in the industry. For us, it’s not just about volume—it’s about enhancing value for the customer. We punch above our weight in roll-fed finishing. The goal is efficiency, enhancement, and creating more value.” He adds that MBO continually expands its offering with modules and add-ons, such as flood and spot coating, designed to help customers increase both value and revenue. Morten presses further, asking about the challenge of profitability and scale in such a competitive space. Josh explains, “We differentiate on product quality. Our systems are industrial-grade, high-speed, and high-productivity. We don’t consider ourselves a commodity player. Modularity is key—you can add or remove components as needed. That makes it easier for customers and OEM partners to grow and evolve with their markets.” Morten accepts the answer but pushes the conversation toward competition. “Most roll-fed OEMs, whether EMT, Tecnau, or Hunkeler, come from the transactional printing space. You come from offset and book production. What makes your approach different?” Josh explains that MBO approaches the market from the opposite direction. “Most competitors come from transactional print and are trying to move into commercial. We come from commercial and are moving into digital. We bring the industrial quality of web and sheetfed offset into this space.” He then breaks down MBO’s philosophy of automation. “There are two kinds of automation: software automation and process automation through step removal. The transactional model takes a roll, cuts it, stacks it, and moves it to binding. We eliminate those steps. We aim to go from roll to finished product, minimizing human touchpoints, reducing errors, increasing throughput, and boosting customer profitability.” Morten agrees, calling it a perfect answer. He then recalls seeing MBO at the Hunkeler Innovationdays and asks why he didn’t see a full MBO end-to-end setup there. Josh explains, “Our end-to-end solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Between roll and sheet, there’s a lot of flexibility. We can add a perforator, a plow fold, or a merge unit depending on the job. The modularity means a setup can change completely from shift to shift or job to job. That’s the real value—adaptability.” He continues, “Commercial printers today might be book printers one day, postcard printers the next, and mailers after that. Our systems adapt instantly with minor changes. That’s our strength. An MBO end-to-end solution could easily be three times the size of this booth depending on complexity. We offer breadth, flexibility, and scalability that fit how modern printers actually work.” As the conversation wraps up, Morten thanks Josh for the honest answers and insights. Josh laughs, shaking his hand, “Good deal, Morten. Always appreciate the tough questions.”

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Josh Poertner, a local print buyer with over 20 years of industry experience. Josh explains that after two decades working for a print company, he went independent when his employer closed. “I kept my client base and supplier connections,” he says. “It’s been really great — I sell a lot of print without owning any equipment myself.” Speaking from the HP booth, where a new large-format printer was being introduced, Josh notes that while he occasionally sources banners and wall coverings for municipal clients, his main value lies in expertise. “As a print buyer, keeping up with new technology is essential. My clients come to me because they have ideas but don’t know how to execute them — that’s where I come in.” Reflecting on the U.S. print market, he says the landscape has shifted: “The bread-and-butter jobs are going away. Either people don’t need them because everything’s gone digital, or they order online. My role now is to find the missing pieces — projects that require multiple vendors or specialized knowledge. It’s more consulting than commodity — and definitely more rewarding.”

At Printing United in Orlando, Pat McGrew meets Jose Rivera, a local printer attending the show to explore new technologies. Rivera shares his excitement about the advancements he has seen in AI-driven printing. He explains that the new systems allow operators to print on a wide range of materials without complex setup or manual measurement. Using built-in scanners, the printers automatically detect the position and type of material on the table, enabling precise, efficient printing with minimal effort. Rivera describes the technology as both impressive and practical, noting how innovations like this could simplify operations and improve flexibility in print shops. While he doesn’t confirm any immediate purchases, he expresses genuine interest in adopting such solutions in the future. The brief conversation highlights how automation and AI are beginning to transform even the hands-on aspects of printing, offering smarter workflows and greater ease of use for production teams.

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.

Exclusive NEON effects in large format products are one of the KPIs and the new product that SwissQPrint shows at the fair. Jorge Suberviola Freire, the Spanish GM brings us up to speed.

Digital Market is an Andalusian company that distributes HP equipment led by Jorge Domínguez Garnés, who, in an interview, showed us the new sustainable innovations that HP has on offer. ----- Digital Market es una empresa andaluza distribuidora de equipos HP liderada por Jorge Domínguez Garnés, que en entrevista nos mostró las innovaciones sostenibles con las que cuenta HP.