by DPS Magazine Staff
HP users congregated once again for Dscoop, this time in St. Louis, MO from May 7 to 10, 2023. Dscoop and its signature events invite print service providers (PSPs), partners—including HP, brand owners, and creative professionals to come together and learn about the latest industry innovations and network.
The event drew 1,100 attendees, which included a mix of print providers, vendors, and industry experts.
From the initial setup in the solutions showcase all the way through to the departure lounge at St. Louis airport, Greg Young, head of customer success, Infigo, felt there was a real buzz at Dscoop. “It felt like Dscoop was back. Last year in the Rockies, there was clearly skepticism as it was the first Dscoop event post-COVID. But this time, it felt like Dscoops of the old.”
At the event, attendees were treated to an inspirational keynote by Basketball Hall of Famer and international business leader Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The NBA legend shared his thoughts on teamwork.
“A common discussion point was that this was one of the best keynotes attendees had ever experienced,” says Michael Aumann, director, digital embellishment solutions, North America, KURZ Transfer Products.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
One critical component of Dscoop is the focus on industry partners. Here we highlight some participating vendors.
A B Graphic International showcased its digital finishing capabilities. The company featured two machines—a beverage specification Digicon Series 3 and a Shrink Sleeve Seaming Machine.
With more complex production workflows and ever-tighter deadlines, DALIM SOFTWARE showed how to improve processing and printer speeds with DALIM DRIVE. Adding DALIM DRIVE specialized workflow tasks into an existing workflow helps eliminate legacy software inefficiencies. For companies requiring a more comprehensive workflow, the company showed DALIM ES, a complete workflow system that combines production workflow, project management/collaboration, online proofing, and asset management.
Duplo showed two of its newest B2 products, the DSM-1000 B2 Platen Die Cutter and the DC-746 B2 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser. It also presented various samples produced along with Spot UV and Spot UV + Foil embellishments, which were added using its new DDC-8000 B2 Spot UV and Foiling solution.
According to Anthony Gandara, partner alliance manager, Duplo USA, Dscoop helped confirm that Duplo is moving in the right direction with its new B2 products. “After demonstrating our B2 solutions to customers, listening to their questions, and seeing their reactions, we quickly realized that many of HP users have a need and are looking for affordable, easy-to-use B2 finishing,” he attests.
GPA brought a team of industry experts and engaged in meaningful conversations surrounding profitability in print and how to leverage media to maximize print production.
Jessica DeCola, director, marketing communications and ecommerce, GPA, says the company’s participation at Dscoop solidified the importance of partnership and industry engagement and how critical these connections are to the success of the print industry as a whole.
HP showcased several solutions. The new HP Indigo 200K digital press made its U.S. debut, which is set to accelerate the flexible packaging market’s digital transformation, according to the company. It also featured its new HP Indigo 100K HD digital press and announced its first two beta site installments in the U.S. and Europe. It also showcased the HP PrintOS Software Suite, which offers proven tools of productivity, quality, creativity, and automation.
Nachum Korman, VP/GM, worldwide industrial print go-to-market, HP, says for him there are several takeaways from the latest Dscoop worldwide event, including the fact that HP welcomes industry progress, collaboration is key, in-person demonstrations are invaluable, and digital print has the power to revolutionize business and drive growth. “It is truly exciting to belong to the world’s largest digital print community, and the conference was the perfect environment for jointly building the future of our digital print industry,” comments Korman.
There were two common talk tracks at the Infigo booth, but also across the main event—scalability and sustainability. Young says automation features came up in every conversation he had with clients as it tries to move users away from siloed operations and instead ensure that the Infigo web to print platform and other systems are talking with one another.
“With the ongoing labor/staff retention challenges across the industry, now is more important than ever before to ensure that human interaction for order processing is kept to a minimum and instead, utilize technology to build out a scalable solution,” comments Young.
HYBRID Software discussed PACKZ, a PDF editor for labels and packaging, and iC3D, a real-time, all-in-one package design software that lets printers generate live 3D virtual mockups on the fly. With the integration of PACKZ and iC3D, HYBRID Software showed shrink-wrap samples, demonstrated on print, and shrunk on a bottle.
Mike Agness, EVP, Americas, HYBRID Software, says especially with the speed of the new, very fast HP Indigo V12 press, software needs to deliver efficiencies to assure that presses are never idle. The challenge is to assure that planning keeps jobs sent quickly to the press. HYBRID Software can deliver integration and efficiencies between the MIS and the press to assure the V12 press is always busy.
KURZ demonstrated the DM-SMARTLINER digital embellishment system and presented samples and video of the entire KURZ platform of digital embellishment solutions for roll- and sheet-fed applications. Interest in these products was high as digital embellishment continues to be a hot topic for revenue generation and increased profitability with PSPs and packaging manufacturers.
Matik showcased a range of solutions from SEI Laser for label, folding carton, commercial graphics, and wide format signage applications.
MBO highlighted both cutsheet and roll-fed finishing solutions for high-volume commercial print, including the BSR550 rotary die cutter for B2 sheet size presses; the T50 Automated High Speed Folder for B2 sheet sizes; and 20- and 30-inch wide web near line and inline finishing systems for HP T presses.
MBO calls this segment MBO Rollfed Finishing Solutions. They are completely integrated solutions primarily for the commercial, marketing, direct mail, and advertising segments of printing. MBO systems are primarily near line designs with the concept—touch it once to print it, touch it once to finish it.
MH+P Technology showcased its canvas stretching and frame assembly machines for the production of quality wall art. Its booth was decorated with large format canvas samples to demonstrate MHP’s specialty in processing large formats. The company featured a Virtual Reality Production Experience for visitors to dive into a real production setting.
Monadnock Paper Mills presented an extended sustainable print, packaging, and signage media for digital presses.
Muller Martini enjoyed talking about its new digital solutions in several finishing sectors including saddle stitching, perfect binding, and hard cover binding. According to the company, the event’s key takeaways were that the opportunities driven by the growth of the digital market are continuing its momentum and offering more as clients embrace the technology.
Nobelus exhibited a variety of equipment and applications at the show, ranging from its Komfi Amiga 52 Double, an inline, double-sided laminator for thin films to the StrataLam, a double-sided laminator that processes thick PET films for applications like menus and signage. Additionally, it introuced the Amiga 52 Emboss laminator, which is a single-sided laminator that performs inline embossing.
“Our team had a great time meeting new printers and gathering as a group to share insights, knowledge, and trends with current colleagues and PSPs. Our PSPs teach us so much about what their customers are asking for, and it helps drive innovation and exploration of new market segments,” shares Angie Mohni, VP of marketing, Nobelus.
St. Louis Edge marked the tenth Dscoop event Rollem has participated in. With 600 square feet of exhibit space it showcased its two Insignia die-cutting systems. Rollem was delighted to partner with HP and Nobelus to provide attendees with a souvenir to take home from St. Louis in the form of a die-cut card featuring an image it submitted to be printed by HP, laminated by Nobelus, and die cut by Rollem’s Insignia Die Cutter.
The Solimar Systems stand focused on the Chemistry platform and its modular solutions designed to correct and automate data and documents in post-composition, thus sending optimized output to and for printers, presses, finishing, email, and archive systems. “We enjoyed presenting our case study on IWCO and sharing how Solimar workflow software digitally retrofitted their production print jobs to easily and seamlessly integrate seven new HP PageWide Presses into two factories with existing presses and finishing equipment,” says Mary Ann Rowan, CXO, Solimar Systems, Inc.
Standard Finishing featured the Horizon BQ-500 Perfect Binder, HT-300 Three-side Trimmer, RD-N4055 Die Cutting System, APC-610 Paper Cutter, and iCE LiNK, which is Horizon’s cloud-based information and diagnostics tool that allows for production management across multiple finishing devices to provide a higher level of operational efficiency, offering items like KPI capture to verify productivity, preventative maintenance alerts, job scheduling, and seamless workflow for job changeover.
“One key takeaway from Dscoop was that in-person events are back, and they are as strong as ever. During the pandemic we missed out on the usual in-person networking and connecting with our peers. Exchanging ideas, new solutions, and best practices face to face is very powerful and important to attendees of any event or show, and Dscoop showed that to be very true,” shares Don Dubuque, director of marketing, Standard Finishing Systems.
SpencerMetrics discussed how its CONNECT and LYNK solutions help users manage machine uptime, labor productivity, and get higher return on investment from operations. The company also showcased its partnership and integration with the HP PageWide Industrial presses that help customers realize the potential of their equipment investment.
Vishal Sahay, EVP, SpencerMetrics LLC, points out that rising costs and shortage of paper, consumables, and labor are key concerns for print and packaging companies in the current global environment.
Taopix showed the print industry how to revolutionize revenue through personalized print. “By offering business to consumer personalization for photobooks, calendars, and gifts, we know that printers across countless markets can establish a profitable sidearm to their business. We showed our market-leading personalization software along with business support and interactive demonstrations for all who we met,” says
Michael Carey, commercial director, Taopix.
Carey says it is clear that PSPs are “hungry for more.” With greater opportunities presented, he points out that the print world is easily able to expand business and increase both productivity and profitability. “In the evolving environment of print, many are looking for the next project, one that can remain profitable long term and complement existing business practices.”
Zaikio showcased a data layer for the entire print industry, demonstrating data being exchanged between various systems without the need for direct connections. “Our takeaway from the show was that data and connectivity are as much a problem in the U.S. as it is in the rest of the world and that there is a need for a universal data layer like Zaikio.”
A New Perspective
As the world continues to get back to “normal” post-COVID, networking and learning events like Dscoop Edge are back with a vengeance. The ability to network and catch up with peers helps bring a new prospective to the industry. dps
July2023, DPS Magazine
