INKISH.TV

Hayco Van Gaal starts a new professional life with RPI Print

In this conversation, Morton from INKISH speaks with Hayco, who has just concluded a remarkable 26-year journey at Canon EMEA. After more than two decades helping shape Canon’s commercial print direction, he begins an exciting new chapter at RPI on Monday. Hayco reflects on the emotional challenge of leaving Canon — a company that has been central to his identity for over half his life — and the colleagues who became close partners throughout his career. He introduces RPI, a global leader with more than 500 employees and production sites in Seattle, Rochester, Atlanta, and Eindhoven. The company specializes in: High-end white-label production of personalized photo products, including photobooks for major brands Self-publishing platforms like Blurb and MagCloud supporting creators who want to design, sell, and distribute books and magazines He explains that while creating one photobook is easy, producing thousands every day — with consistent routing, quality, traceability, and fast delivery — is highly complex. Only a small number of companies worldwide can do this at scale. Hayco was especially impressed by RPI’s investment in workflow, automation, IT, and APIs, designed to make customer integration efficient and straightforward. In his new role as head of European sales, Hayco will support existing global customers, explore new opportunities, and drive diversification. Because photobooks are highly seasonal, he sees big potential in using RPI’s production capacity for other applications outside peak periods. As ordering moves increasingly online, printers must act more like IT companies — and strong PSP/OEM partnerships become essential. Morton notes that RPI’s focus on personalization, waste reduction, and sustainability positions the business well for the future — a point Hayco fully agrees with. He also shares that RPI works with multiple OEMs, including Canon and HP, and highlights sustainability as a key focus area. Hayco feels a strong cultural and personal fit with RPI and looks forward to staying close to the industry. He confirms he will attend the NON-EVENT in January.

Larry Corwin · President · Rollem International · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH sits down with Larry Corwin, President of Rollem International, to talk about the company’s strong presence at the show and its latest developments in finishing technology. “Day two — you survived the first day,” Wayne begins. Larry smiles. “Yes, we did. It was very busy all day long. We haven’t seen a show of this size and magnitude in 10 or 15 years. This is what the old Chicago show used to be — and it’s great to see Printing United building that same kind of momentum.” Rollem International, known for its precision slitting, scoring, and perforating systems, showcased an impressive lineup of new equipment at the show. “We’ve always been known for card slitting and paper converting,” Larry says, “but now we have two or three completely new models — the kind of machines we’ve dreamed about for years. They’re modular, so a printer can start small, say on a 13x19 format, and later expand into B2 just by adding modules.” That modularity, combined with faster changeovers, is opening Rollem’s technology to a broader audience. “We’ve always appealed to large-volume users,” Larry explains, “but now, with quick changeovers and more flexible setups, we can serve short- and medium-run printers too.” Wayne brings up the company’s success with the Insignia die-cutting line. “Insignia’s been out maybe six to eight years now,” Larry says, “and it’s been a huge success. It gives printers tremendous flexibility — they can move into decals, packaging, boxes — all kinds of new applications. It’s been very well received by the print community.” Rollem has also long dominated the playing card market. “We pioneered that space,” Larry says. “We have a very strong market position, and we’re introducing new systems there as well. But beyond that niche, we’re expanding to broader applications like postcards, greeting cards, and business cards — jobs that appeal to many more printers.” Another highlight at the booth is the Streamline System. “It’s the platform that lets us build out scalable finishing lines,” Larry explains. “You can start with two pieces, add more, and run different jobs at once — postcards and business cards simultaneously, for example. It’s a clever, efficient setup.” Also drawing attention is Rollem’s new folding and gluing line. “It’s compact, attractively priced, and still delivers the performance of much larger systems,” Larry says. “It can run up to 48,000 boxes an hour — and it’s running live here at the show.” Talking about Rollem’s legacy, Larry shares that the company is now in its third generation. “The company’s 63 years old,” he says. “I started working for my dad, and now my two sons are in the business. You could say it’s in our blood.” Rollem has also been expanding geographically. “We’ve opened a much larger office in Florida,” Larry adds. “It includes parts, service, sales, and a full demo floor — joining our Midwest office outside Chicago and our headquarters in Anaheim, near Los Angeles.” Wayne wraps up with a smile: “It sounds like things are going really well.” Larry nods. “They are. It’s been a great show so far — and we’re just getting started.”

Mark Little · Senior Director, Global Product Marketing · Ricoh USA · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets Mark Little to talk about Ricoh’s VC80000, the company’s newest high-speed inkjet press—shown publicly for the first time in North America. Mark gestures toward the towering machine beside them. “We’ve had one running in our Customer Experience Center in Boulder,” he says, “but people want to see the real thing. They’ve seen the installations around the world, and now they can finally experience what makes it so special.” Having spent years working across toner and inkjet platforms, Mark believes the timing for a true digital shift is now. “People talk about ‘offset to digital,’ but really it’s ‘offset with digital,’” he explains. “Offset isn’t going away, but for short runs, variable jobs, and faster turnarounds, digital is the smart choice. The VC80000 fits perfectly—it’s already running in publishing, commercial print, data-driven direct mail, and transactional mail. It’s a Swiss Army knife for production printing.” The VC80000 is a ground-up Ricoh design, not an iteration of earlier systems. “It’s all Ricoh technology,” Mark notes proudly. “Every new platform brings challenges, but customer feedback has been outstanding. One customer told me they’re saving thousands of dollars every day on metal plates alone. That’s massive, and it’s why several are already ordering their second unit.” When asked about costs, Mark acknowledges that total cost of ownership has long been a key discussion point for digital inkjet. “We perform ROI analyses with customers before installation,” he explains. “In most cases, digital comes out ahead. Roll-fed paper is cheaper than cut-sheet, uptime is higher, and with our 23-inch web width, we can run letter workflows in landscape orientation—boosting efficiency by over 20%. Add grain-correct folding and full-speed handling of up to 300 gsm, and suddenly, commercial printers see applications they never thought were possible on inkjet.” He highlights automation and AI-driven intelligence as Ricoh’s biggest differentiators. “Labor shortages are universal,” he says. “So we built intelligence right into the machine. The VC80000 automatically manages alignment, density, and registration—it even calibrates itself. Operators don’t need to understand every technical parameter anymore. Just push the button, and the system does it.” During live production, the printer scans every page in real time at 150 meters per minute (492 feet per minute). “If it detects a jet-out,” Mark explains, “it corrects it instantly—milliseconds—without stopping the press. Later, it self-cleans and permanently fixes the issue. That’s ultra production efficiency in action.” Morten laughs. “With half a million offset presses still out there,” he says, “I suppose they all just need to buy one of these.” Mark grins. “Exactly. And if they order by the dozen,” he replies, “I’ll wrap them myself.”

Josh Romberg · President · MBO North America · PRINTING United 2025

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.”

Christoph Schacht · Co-Founder · Printess · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets his good friend Christoph Schacht, co-founder of Printess, on the final day of the show. Both laugh about how tired everyone feels after several intense days of meetings and interviews, but the energy returns quickly as they begin talking about how far Printess has come in just a few years. Morten recalls speaking with Christoph during the COVID years, when he and his partner, also named Christoph, were quietly building something new. At that time, he wouldn’t say much, but Morten remembers seeing the name Printess already written on their office staircase. Christoph smiles and says that’s where it all started—an idea, a bit of secrecy, and a lot of hard work. About a year later, at LabelExpo Europe, the industry first saw the now-iconic pink branding and the platform's first working version. Since then, Printess has developed into a full-scale editorial and personalization solution for professional online printing. Christoph explains that they wanted to do one thing and do it right, focusing entirely on editing. Not a simple online editor, but something powerful enough for professionals and built to scale for the largest players in the industry. Unlike typical web-to-print tools that offer only simple business card editors or lightweight design interfaces, Printess is built for complexity. It handles text flow, typography, image manipulation, dynamic layouts, and automated data integration, all inside the browser. Christoph says that this is their seventh editor, and they have learned from every earlier version. This time, they didn’t cut corners—they built their own typography engine, even though it was costly —and now they deliver true Adobe-grade quality. Today, more than fifteen million print products are created annually through the platform. Morten points out that Printess also includes AI-driven template generation, allowing a user to type “barbershop” and receive instantly customized, print-ready marketing materials. Christoph confirms that under the hood, it’s complex technology, but for the end user, it’s as easy as using an iPhone. They combine powerful design tools for professionals with an intuitive buyer-side editor for consumers. That simplicity, he says, is key. Christoph also introduces Printess Make, a new solution for online printers that currently only offer PDF uploads. He explains that Printess Make was built for print providers who risk losing customers to platforms like Canva. Canva moved from being just a design tool to also offering printing, and that changes everything. Printess gives printers the same power—a complete online design experience under their own brand without losing customers to someone else’s platform. Printess operates as a white-label SaaS platform that enables printers to maintain full control of their brand and customer relationships. Christoph explains that the buyer never leaves the printer’s website, and Printess earns per transaction, so printers only pay for what’s actually produced. This year marks Printess’s first official appearance in the United States, and Christoph says the response has been very encouraging. They focused first on Europe to refine the model and support structure, but now, as a pure SaaS platform, scaling globally is easy. They don’t ship servers or need large local teams, just great people willing to stay up a bit later for U.S. time zones. When Morten asks about the company’s next steps, Christoph says they are happy where they are and will stay laser-focused on editing—precise, powerful, and scalable. Partners like Infigo have already integrated Printess into their web-to-print systems. Printess is not a competitor but an enabler, helping partners grow stronger. As they close the interview, Morten smiles and says that the name that once appeared quietly on a staircase is now on everyone’s lips at Printing United. Christoph laughs and says it has been quite a journey and that this is only the beginning for Printess.

Confident Outlook and New Koenig & Bauer Investments · Attilio Posa · CEO · Stampa SUD ·

We work side by side every day. Even when we return home to our families, conversations often drift back to work. The challenges never really stop, but working with family is rewarding because trust is built into everything we do. When problems arise, that trust becomes the foundation for moving forward. This company began as a small operation after the Second World War. Those early years were difficult, yet they shaped a mindset that still defines us. When you know your grandfather built something in a difficult time, you believe you can face any challenge. That sense of resilience continues to guide us. Last year, a fire struck our facility. It was a moment where we didn’t know how to begin rebuilding. Having someone experienced beside us made the difference. Former employees and long-time colleagues came back to help. Their support mattered not only in practical work but emotionally. You suddenly realize how much you can rely on the people around you, and that gives you the strength to move on. Today, we produce an extremely wide range of products: commercial print, books, panets, fruit and food packaging, wine and oil bottle packaging, and shopping bags. It is demanding, but also exciting. Our location in Puglia, in the south of Italy, gives us direct access to many food companies, but we have also begun exporting abroad during the past five years. It is still only a small part of our turnover, largely because logistics and delivery costs are challenging. Still, we see opportunities, especially with shopping bags and laminated products enhanced with hot foil and other finishing options. Sustainability has become a priority. Luxury clients increasingly request environmentally responsible packaging, so we began developing sustainable solutions in 2018. It’s not only about offsetting energy use or reducing CO₂. We focus on combining design and chemistry to deliver new options. We have BRC Packaging certification, and our background in commercial print allows us to work quickly, offering clients fast proposals and helping them reach the market faster. This approach helps us grow and differentiate from competitors. Our customers were demanding higher quality and greater productivity, so we compared solutions from Heidelberg, manroland, and Koenig & Bauer. We chose Koenig & Bauer for the technology it offered. Three years ago, we installed our first six-color plus coating system with conventional low-migration inks for food packaging. This year, we added another six-color plus coating press and will install LED-UV lamps from GEW. This new capability lets us print on laminated paper, plastic, and uncoated stock with excellent results. The machine is positioned away from our food packaging lines, and alongside it we are also bringing a new die-cutting system into operation. Reliability and fast support were key reasons we stayed with Koenig & Bauer. When you buy a press, you need fast assistance. Problems can happen with any brand, but solutions must come quickly. After our first experience, we were confident enough to invest again. Digital printing does not yet fit our market. Offset remains the best solution for what we do. These presses allow us to set up in as few as 100 sheets and reach high productivity quickly. For now, this is the right choice. The future is uncertain. Global conflict is affecting markets everywhere. Still, we have always been quick to adapt. With the equipment and capabilities we now have, we look ahead with confidence.

Ricardo Martinez (HP) & Carlos Vega (HP) · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

Morten B. Reitoft meets two HP representatives from Mexico during an open-mic session at Printing United. They explain that the new HP device shown is an important upgrade for their market, offering roughly 50% more speed and a larger format compared to the previous 3000-series models. They have already sold many of the earlier units in Mexico and expect strong demand as customers begin renewing installations and as they approach new prospects. Although competition is strong with other vendors launching new products, they note that HP remains a leading choice for their customers, and early feedback on the new machine has been positive.

April Gray & Kristen Posada · In Living Color Creation · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

Pat McGrew speaks with April Gray and Kristen Posada from In Living Color Creations, who are excited by the strong presence of robotics and automation at Printing United. Their standout highlight is a giant 3D acrylic printer capable of producing statue-sized pieces—likely a Massivit model—which they say could “print a car.” They note the show is highly relevant to their one-stop shop’s capabilities across 3D, UV, and DTF printing, as well as embroidery, but the massive 3D printer is the clear showstopper for them.

Sean & Paul Nag · PrintPapa · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

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.

Rob Matthews · Director of Production · Matthews Mobile Media · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

Pat McGrew speaks with Rob Matthews of Matthews Mobile Media, who has just seen HP unveil the new Latex FS70W. As a loyal HP user for a decade, he always wants to see what the company is developing next. His business focuses on vehicle graphics—about half of total output—as well as wallcoverings, which is where he sees the FS70W offering real value. What stands out most to him is the machine’s wide format, strong color performance, and especially its ability to print on two rolls simultaneously—something his current HP R2000 can’t do. That capability alone could meaningfully expand his shop's production capacity.

Morgan Strauss · Print Shop Manager · Heartland Coca Cola · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

Pat McGrew speaks with first-time Printing United attendee Morgan Strauss. Morgan explains that the main purpose of attending the show is education. Although it is not a purchasing year for their company, Morgan is exploring equipment options and learning as much as possible in a new management role. The company operates as an in-house printer with a small team, handling many responsibilities, and is particularly interested in digital print capabilities and what could potentially be brought in-house in the future. Software is not an immediate priority, but Morgan acknowledges it may be relevant later and is open to gathering information from vendors. Morgan plans to stay for the entire show and hopes to return home with new knowledge to inform future planning and to share insights with the rest of the team.

Mike Scrutton · Director, Print Technology & Strategy · Adobe · PRINTING United 2025

Adobe and Scodix have partnered to integrate the Adobe PDF Print Engine directly into the Scodix workflow. This gives Scodix users the same high-quality, reliable PDF interpretation that Adobe already provides across more than 200,000 systems worldwide. Because the engine handles complex elements such as spot colors, overprint, and knockouts in precisely the same way as CMYK production devices, printers can expect consistent results when transferring artwork from the main CMYK print to Scodix embellishment. The integration also significantly improves processing performance, with reported speed increases of 30–40%, providing faster file preparation and effectively increasing overall capacity—an advantage for demanding applications such as variable data embellishment.

Adobe and Scodix are also collaborating on new technology under development, currently code-named Project Goldsmith, aimed at simplifying the preparation of embellishment files. The goal is to reduce prepress processing from minutes or hours to seconds by automatically understanding designer intent and optimizing PDFs for embellishment production. Adobe has published reference material for creatives interested in preparing embellishment-ready files, and the partnership signals a broader focus on creating an efficient, end-to-end workflow from design through manufacturing.

Lamont Wilson & Claire Bacola · Milner · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

A visitor at Printing United describes the show as valuable and highly informative, noting that the range of technology on display provides a strong opportunity to examine machines in operation and understand how they could integrate into real business environments. Sales teams are accessible and helpful, offering detailed knowledge that supports evaluation and comparison. One flatbed printer in particular stood out for its output quality. Although the visitor has not yet explored AI-driven or design software, they plan to, acknowledging that software is less visually eye-catching on the show floor. Overall, the experience is positive, with the event offering practical insight and hands-on exposure to new equipment.

Karen Geeves (Color Logic) & Roy Bohnen (Color Onsite) · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

Pat McGrew speaks with Karen Geeves and Roy Bohnen on the first day of Printing United to hear their impressions of the show. They say the event is always a place to discover new technologies, new vendors, and new manufacturers. Still, it is equally valuable for reconnecting with friends and familiar colleagues in what feels like a small, close-knit industry. They have not yet encountered anything that truly astonishes them, but they still plan to explore further once their scheduled meetings are over. They also mention collaborating with twelve partners on the Greyhorn series, producing twelve limited-edition printed images each day, which has been an enjoyable highlight of their time in Orlando.

Heather Long · Product Marketing Manager · Fiery · PRINTING United 2025

On the final day of Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH stopped by the Fiery booth to speak with Heather Long, Product Marketing Manager at Fiery. Despite the long week, Heather was in high spirits. “It’s been incredible,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of foot traffic and strong leads, so it’s been a really successful show for us. We’re excited to wrap up on a high note.” Wayne noted that this year’s event seemed to be the biggest yet, with both exhibitors and visitors. Heather agreed. “Yes, it’s definitely been busy,” she said. “It’s great to see so much energy and engagement from the industry.” Heather explained that Fiery was using the show to preview a new workflow automation solution called Fiery JobFlow Pro. “This is the successor to our current Fiery JobFlow,” she said. “We’ve completely redesigned it from the ground up on a much higher performance platform, so it’s faster, more flexible, and now integrates with AI.” She described how the system is designed to remove repetitive, time-consuming prepress tasks. “For example, if you’re getting hundreds of small jobs like business cards, you don’t want operators spending all day clicking the same settings and doing the same impositions,” she said. “JobFlow Pro automates those steps. It reduces clicks, eliminates human error, and frees up time so operators can focus on higher-value work.” Wayne asked how the system fits into a typical production environment, especially for companies running web-to-print systems. “That’s one of the biggest changes,” Heather explained. “We’ve re-engineered the architecture so it can receive jobs from multiple sources—e-commerce sites, job tickets, Command WorkStation, or even drag-and-drop from a browser. Once a file is received, the AI scans not just the metadata but also the file contents to understand what kind of job it really is. So if someone uploads a file named ‘businesscard.pdf’ but it’s actually a catalog, the system will recognize that and route it to the right workflow automatically.” She added that the AI also improves communication and usability for less experienced operators. “If a preflight report comes back full of technical terms, a beginner might not know what to do with it. JobFlow Pro can translate that into plain language, so it’s easy to understand. It can even send the report back to the customer automatically with simple instructions so they can fix it themselves.” According to Heather, the system is flexible enough to suit any type of user. “You can have an experienced prepress technician or a new intern using it,” she said. “Once the workflows are built, the AI handles the routing and logic. It’s all about making automation accessible.” Wayne asked how far the system goes in the production chain. “Ultimately, the goal is to get the job to print,” Heather said. “We can connect to any Fiery-driven printer—whether it’s a cut-sheet device or a large-format printer—and we can also integrate with MIS or ERP systems to feed production data, trigger new workflows, or even automate tasks like printing shipping labels once a job is complete. It really can go all the way to dispatch.” She added that the new system is far more dynamic than before. “The old JobFlow was more linear. JobFlow Pro can branch, connect, and scale. It’s built on a modern node-based framework, so it’s open-source friendly. Customers can create or add their own building blocks to customize workflows. We’ve tried to remove the need for scripting so it’s easier to use, but power users can still go deep and integrate at the API level.” Fiery JobFlow Pro, Heather confirmed, will be available in early December. “It’s all about our new motto: ‘Print smarter, automate anything,’” she said. “Reducing touchpoints, improving consistency, and giving customers tools to scale up—those are the goals.” Wayne smiled. “That’s exactly what the industry needs,” he said. “Fewer touchpoints, more automation, and faster turnaround.” Heather nodded. “Exactly,” she said. “That’s what we’re aiming for.”

Anthony Lane · Houston DTF Transfers · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Pat McGrew talks with Anthony Lane from Houston DTF Transfers, who attended the show to explore new equipment and supplier options for his growing DTF printing business. Anthony explains that he was specifically looking for advanced machinery and found what he needed—a six-head printer from HD—along with several new apparel brands for t-shirt fulfillment and production. He says he decided to make the trip from Houston after hearing strong recommendations about the event, seeing extensive online coverage, and receiving invitations from brands he already collaborates with. For Anthony, the visit proved worthwhile, offering valuable insights into the latest DTF technology and opportunities to connect with partners supporting his company’s expansion. His experience underscores that Printing United remains a key destination for DTF professionals seeking innovation and business growth in the garment printing industry.

Johan Mikaelsson · VP Inline · Plockmatic Group · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH speaks with Johan Mickelson, Vice President of Inline Business at Plockmatic. Johan describes the event’s opening day as strong, with high attendance and valuable leads. A major announcement for Plockmatic at the show is the full acquisition of Renz, including operations in Germany, Argentina, Australia, Turkey, and the UK. This marks the first time Renz equipment is displayed as part of the Plockmatic Group, strengthening its offering in binding, punching, and winding systems. Johan explains that the integration complements Plockmatic’s coating and finishing solutions, expanding value for customers in both digital and offset environments. Discussing the North American market, Johan notes that it remains stable though slightly flatter this year due to tariffs, financing challenges, and geopolitical uncertainty. The U.S. accounts for more than half of Plockmatic’s global business, supported through both dealers and direct partnerships. He confirms that the 15% tariff on European-made equipment has forced pricing adjustments but says efficiency improvements and production cost savings are helping to offset part of the impact. Johan also highlights several new product launches showcased at the expo, including the DigiFold Ultra cutter/creaser, a new AutoCreaser line for small- and medium-format applications, and expanded ColorFlare embellishment solutions. Plockmatic is also presenting flatbed and sheet-cutting systems for packaging and labeling, broadening the applications possible from digital presses. With an extensive and growing product range, Johan emphasizes that Plockmatic is evolving into a complete one-stop finishing provider, aligning its acquisitions and innovations to meet changing customer demands in an increasingly automated print environment.

Piet de Pauw · Head of Marketing · Enfocus · PRINTING United 2025

On the final afternoon of Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH stopped by the Enfocus booth to speak with Piet de Pauw from Enfocus. With only a few hours left before the show closed, Piet was still full of energy. “It’s been a good show as always,” he said. “Honestly, this is my favorite show of the year. The organization is fantastic, and we partner with many other vendors here. We’ve got six partnerships on display this time, alongside many others at the show. It’s been an amazing run.” Wayne noted that collaboration seemed to be a big part of Enfocus’s approach. “Absolutely,” Piet replied. “That’s the heart of what we do. For example, we’re working with Kongsberg here at the show, demonstrating how our solutions tie together. We’re showing two things in particular—our Mini MIS, which we launched at last year’s Printing United in Atlanta, and this year we’ve added a layer of magic to it. Instead of just uploading a picture and removing the background with AI, we now turn it into a magic version of yourself. We’ve even designed a playable card game where your picture becomes one of the cards you can take home.” After a laugh about the “magic” theme, Wayne asked for an overview of what Enfocus software actually does. “Switch is built to be open at its core,” Piet explained. “I like to joke that Switch doesn’t do anything—of course, it does a lot—but what it really does is connect best-in-class systems. A modern printer has to invest in a wide range of software: imposition, MIS, web-to-print, prepress, finishing automation, and more. That creates a complex tech stack. Printers don’t necessarily want to spend time figuring out how to make all those systems talk to each other—they just want things to work. That’s where Switch comes in. It ties everything together, seamlessly. The best Switch installations are the ones where users forget it’s even there—it just runs quietly in the background doing all the work.” Wayne asked how that applied specifically to the partnership with Kongsberg. Piet smiled and grabbed a sample. “Let me show you,” he said. “Imagine you take a full-body picture at a family gathering and you want to turn it into a life-size cutout. Normally, that’s a long process—you’d use Photoshop to edit the photo, clean the lighting, cut out the background, and then generate a cut path, which takes time. In Switch, it takes 30 seconds.” He explained how the workflow operates: “You upload the image, and Switch sends it to an AI tool that removes the background. It’s then automatically enhanced by Viesus software, which adjusts lighting and image quality. After that, the file goes into PitStop, which generates a smooth, accurate cut path—because if there are thousands of points, the cutting table either crashes or takes forever. We smooth those lines, add the base, and send it to our nesting software, Griffin, where we nest the file on a 48x96 sheet. The whole thing—photo cleanup, enhancement, layout, nesting, and cut prep—happens automatically. At this show, the printed sheets go to the Digitech booth for printing, and then to Kongsberg for cutting. From photo to finished, cut-ready file—30 seconds flat.” Wayne laughed. “That’s incredible.” Piet nodded. “It is. That’s the power of automation when all the systems work together. It saves time, eliminates repetitive manual work, and lets people focus on creativity rather than file prep. That’s the magic behind Switch.” Wayne smiled. “Well, Piet, as always, it’s great to see you. I think next year you’ll have to make the theme a bit more obvious.” Piet laughed. “We’ll work on that for next year. Always a pleasure, Wayne.”

Joanne Gore · President · Joanne Gore Communications · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH speaks with Joanne Gore from Joanne Gore Communications. Joanne, recognized as one of the inaugural All-Stars at the event, has been active across the show floor, leading student tours, hosting sessions, and supporting the newly formed Customer Experience Management Association. She shares insights on the continued strength and evolution of the print industry, emphasizing that print is far from dead and remains vibrant and full of opportunity. Through her company, Joanne Gore Communications, she helps businesses across the print value chain—from manufacturers to PSPs—understand their audiences, improve their messaging, and sell more effectively. She highlights the importance of marketing, noting that many printers and software providers underestimate the effort needed to attract customers once a website or platform is launched. Joanne also discusses her collaboration with Printing Connect Online, helping PSPs join and benefit from greater industry exposure. The conversation touches on her book, Thriving in Chaos, which offers lessons from her 30-year career in marketing and advice for navigating change and challenges in business.

Mason Gerber · Don Mickey Designs · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Pat McGrew speaks with Mason, a first-time attendee sent by his company to explore the latest in print technology. Mason describes the experience as one of the most exciting of his career, noting that his company relies heavily on Ricoh products and that seeing the new Ricoh 9500 series in person was a highlight. He explains that their business focuses on folding and bookbinding services and that they are also exploring Plockmatic software and finishing solutions. Mason expresses enthusiasm about the show overall, calling it an incredible opportunity to see new technology firsthand and connect with the wider printing community.

James Mekis · Dir. of Tech. (PODi) & Chris Heric · Education & CMO (CIP4) · PRINTING United 2025

At the Printing United Expo in Orlando, Pat McGrew speaks with James Mekis from PODi and Chris Heric from CIP4, both attending to engage with industry partners and discuss workflow interoperability. Rather than selling or buying equipment, their goal is to explore how different print systems can better communicate using standards such as JDF and JMF. They explain how these specifications allow devices from multiple vendors—such as Heidelberg, Kodak, Xerox, and 3M—to integrate seamlessly within a single production environment, reducing the need for proprietary or custom solutions. James notes that CIP4’s mission is to make automation more accessible for print providers who rely on diverse hardware and software setups, and the organization has developed extensive resources, including an introductory guide for those new to JDF. Chris adds that as printers increasingly depend on MIS and DFE systems, interoperability has become essential for efficiency and competitiveness. They also highlight available case studies that show real-world benefits of standardization. The conversation emphasizes how organizations like CIP4 and PODi continue to educate and support the print industry in adopting open standards to drive smarter, more connected workflows.

Eduardo Temkin · CEO · Designer Films · Open Mic · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Pat McGrew speaks with Eduardo Temkin from Designer Films, who attended the show to find a digital printer capable of printing on polypropylene. Eduardo explains that his company traditionally uses flexographic printing but faces challenges with small-volume orders due to the high setup costs of plates, separate color stations, and ink preparation. He notes that digital printing offers an ideal solution, allowing them to produce short-run jobs efficiently without the need for multiple plates or manual color mixing. While flexo remains the best option for large-scale production because of lower ink costs once the press is running, digital provides flexibility and speed for smaller customers who need faster, more economical solutions. Eduardo says the show has been impressive, with well-prepared exhibitors and a range of innovative technology, and he was pleased to discover the right machine to meet his company’s needs. His visit reflects a broader industry trend toward blending traditional flexographic expertise with digital innovation to serve a wider customer base.

Kenneth Hanulec · VP Global Marketing · EFI · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in sunny Orlando, Wayne Beckett from INKISH sat down with Kenneth Hanulec from EFI to talk about how the company is approaching this year’s busy and energetic show. “We love Printing United,” Kenneth said with a smile. “It’s a great community of people. It’s been super busy—day one was packed, and we’re halfway through day two and still running full speed. We’re just excited to be here.” Wayne noted that the show seemed bigger and more vibrant than before, and Kenneth agreed. “It certainly feels like there’s more traffic,” he said. “We’ve seen people from Latin America, Canada, and a lot more from the West Coast than I expected. It’s really a broad mix of visitors.” EFI’s booth was one of the largest on the floor, showcasing an extensive range of machines. When asked how conversations with PSPs were going, Kenneth explained that the focus was mainly on applications. “EFI is centered on three verticals—sign and display, packaging, and industrial textile,” he said. “All of our printers are designed to do two key things: maximize productivity and efficiency while driving the lowest cost per square foot, and enable new applications. Whether it’s clear ink, multilayer printing, or working with new substrates, it’s all about giving PSPs ways to boost profitability.” Wayne remarked on the impressive range of substrates EFI printers can handle, from textiles to rigid materials. Kenneth laughed. “I tell people—and it makes engineers nervous—that we can print on almost anything. As long as it’s about 2 inches thick or less and the process is contactless, we can spray ink onto it and make a beautiful image. Whether it’s paper, film, metal, glass, wood, or plastic, inkjet technology is incredibly versatile.” Asked if EFI has a “sweet spot” among its many printers, Kenneth replied, “I love all the children. We have over 40 printers available for commercial use across our three verticals. Here we’re showing hybrid and roll-to-roll technologies, and our partners have brought dedicated flatbed and hybrid systems as well. The strength of our portfolio is its breadth—whatever a customer’s capacity or productivity needs are, we’ve got a solution that fits.” Wayne pointed out that EFI continues to partner with Fiery for front-end solutions. “Yes,” Kenneth said. “We’ve worked with Fiery for decades. Even though we’re now separate companies, Fiery still accounts for 99% of our digital front-end sales. They’re great partners, and we really value their technology.” Turning to automation, Kenneth explained how EFI approaches it from both software and hardware perspectives. “When we talk about automation, it’s really twofold,” he said. “There’s software-based automation, which drives workflow efficiency, and then there’s hardware automation. Take our packaging solution, Nozomi—it can produce a thousand boards an hour, so you need automation to keep up with that. We’ve also launched EFI Insight, a cloud-based analytics tool that converts real-time data from the Nozomi printer into business intelligence. It helps customers improve efficiency, increase profitability, and even manage preventive maintenance. It’s still early days, but the potential is huge.” Wayne asked whether robotics was also part of EFI’s roadmap. “Yes, we’re working on various automation programs,” Kenneth confirmed. “There’s nothing commercially available yet, but it’s an area we’re actively developing.” As their conversation wrapped up, Wayne commented on how impressive the EFI portfolio looked. Kenneth nodded. “We have an excellent direct and indirect sales team, and we focus on solving real problems for our customers,” he said. “With such a wide portfolio, I’m confident we can help anyone who comes to us.” Wayne smiled. “Kenneth, it’s been great talking to you. There’s still a day and a half left—by the time you leave, I’m sure all the machines will be sold.” Kenneth laughed. “That’s always the plan.”

Chris Schowalter · Global Sales Director Software · DURST AG · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United Expo in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH spoke with Chris Schowalter from Durst about his first year with the company and how the software division has evolved under his leadership. Chris joined Durst about a year ago, after working at Fiery. “At last year’s Printing United, I was only four days into the job,” he said with a laugh. “Change is difficult. It’s not just about learning the products—it’s about understanding the people and how things work. But the Durst team has been incredibly welcoming. I actually sent a note on my flight here to thank my colleagues for how open they’ve been. I never had to position myself internally; they were ready to collaborate from day one.” He explained that this openness has been a key factor in the progress the software division has made. “Of course, it’s a team effort, but I can say there’s a lot of me in what we’ve built this past year,” he said. “When I look around this booth, it’s not just a small software corner like you see with most hardware companies. We have our own large stand, a full team, and even a dedicated website that went live yesterday. It shows that Durst is serious about software as a core part of the business.” Chris described how Durst’s approach to software is based on openness and interoperability. “Durst started by investing in companies like Callas and by committing to openness,” he said. “We’re working with other OEMs and even showing that on the floor here. People were surprised to see an HP printer at a Durst booth, but that was deliberate. It’s our way of saying we’re open, we’re connected, and we mean it.” When asked if it had been a challenge to convince the organization to support this approach, Chris said he had expected internal resistance but was surprised by the support. “I thought it would be a tough conversation,” he said. “But there were open doors everywhere. The mindset was, ‘If this is what we want to do, let’s do it and mean it.’ That’s how Durst works—there’s no nonsense, just action.” He went on to describe the Open Software Initiative and how it ties into the company’s Smart Factory ecosystem. “We’ve built easy-to-understand packages that offer maximum functionality,” he said. “We didn’t want overly complex pricing or endless options. For example, Smart Shop and Lift—our web-to-print and ERP solutions—are sold directly because they involve long integration projects. But our new products, Prepare and Produce, are channel-ready and easy to implement. That’s what we’re launching here at the show.” Chris also spoke about the acquisition of Callas and how that strengthens Durst’s capabilities in PDF handling and automation. “We’ve brought in some fantastic people from Callas, and it’s expanding what we can offer,” he said. “When you look at the market, you see many third-party integration platforms like Cocco and Atomyx. We’re not trying to replace them; we’re embracing them. We have extremely powerful APIs across our products, and if a customer wants to integrate with Cocco, for instance, we support that. In fact, Cocco is here at our booth because we see them as a partner, not a competitor.” He emphasized that the goal is to make software integration easier, not more confusing. “We lead with value, not limitation,” Chris said. “We don’t tell customers they have to buy everything from us. They can choose what fits their needs. But once they see how well the modules connect, it often makes sense to use more of them. The key is flexibility.” Reflecting on the journey so far, Chris smiled. “This is just the first step,” he said. “It’s been a year of preparation, and now the real work begins. That’s the fun part.” Morten thanked him for the conversation, noting how the openness and innovation on display reflected Durst’s evolution from a printer manufacturer to a complete technology company. Chris nodded. “Exactly,” he said. “That’s what makes this so exciting.”

Paul Bromley · Head of Global Sales · Infigo · PRINTING United 2025

On the final day of Printing United Expo in Orlando, with just about an hour left before the show closed, Wayne Beckett from INKISH caught up with Paul Bromley from Infigo. “Good to see you again, Paul,” Wayne began. “Here we are—another trade show, another interview.” Paul laughed. “Yeah, three weeks ago we were in not-so-sunny Birmingham, and now we’re in sunny Orlando. It’s been absolutely fantastic. This show has really become our main event. The number of existing and new customers we’ve met has been unreal.” When asked what American PSPs were focusing on this year, Paul didn’t hesitate. “There are three key things we’re hearing again and again—automation, integration, and e-commerce,” he said. “We sat in on the NAPCO session on Wednesday morning, and those same three priorities came up as the main focus for companies that want to grow or even just stay competitive. That’s exactly where Infigo is positioned.” Wayne pointed out that this seemed to fit Infigo perfectly. “It really does,” Paul agreed. “We’ve built our reputation around workflow and integration. Everyone knows we connect with just about every system out there. But something new that’s coming up everywhere is AI. It’s not going away—it’s only going to become more relevant. That’s why we’ve partnered with Printess. They’re helping automate the creative side, where users don’t have artwork or imagery and need to generate templates. Once that’s done, the job flows directly into Infigo via our platform, then to automation tools like Switch. We’re always looking for the gaps our customers face and finding ways to fill them.” Wayne asked Paul to describe the Infigo ecosystem for anyone who hadn’t yet visited their booth. “At our core, we’ve got our MegaEdit editor, which is a cornerstone of Infigo,” Paul said. “It’s been leading the market for years and isn’t going anywhere. In addition, our platform supports both B2B and B2C workflows. That flexibility is key because some printers focus on business clients, while others sell directly to consumers. We sit right in the middle of that business, pulling data from and pushing data to MIS and ERP systems. Our partnership with printIQ is a great example—it’s one of the tightest integrations out there. In fact, many visitors went straight from our booth to theirs to explore joint solutions. We’re not just selling a product anymore; we’re helping customers find the best setup for their entire operation.” E-commerce, Paul explained, has become a significant growth area. “We’re seeing companies that never considered e-commerce before now jumping in,” he said. “For example, large corrugated businesses are starting to build portals for micro print runs, giving their customers new options while still managing high-volume work. The same thing is happening in labels—smaller runs are now profitable thanks to digital presses like HP, Domino, and Xeikon. We’re proud to work with all of them. The timing is perfect.” Wayne mentioned that Infigo had also been at Labelexpo. “Yes,” Paul said, “we got a lot of interest there. We integrate with MIS providers like LabelTraxx and CERM—great systems for label production. Labels have always been good for us, but since Labelexpo, they’ve become very good. The market is shifting fast, and we’re ready for it.” He added that many American printers were diversifying, which aligns well with Infigo’s capabilities. “We’re seeing more commercial printers moving into labels, DTF, and DTG work,” he said. “When we do demos, we show them how Infigo supports that entire journey. Whether it’s standard 2D proofs, 3D renders for apparel or packaging, or wide-format jobs, it’s all supported. Garments, promotional items, folding cartons, corrugated packaging—the list goes on. We’re a one-stop shop.” Wayne smiled. “Paul, as always, it’s great to talk to you. Funny how we both live in the UK, but we only seem to meet abroad.” Paul laughed. “That’s true. Thanks for stopping by, Wayne—and thanks for the continued support.”

Menu