By DPS Staff
Print 18 took place from September 30 to October 2, 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. As the print industry communications.
In its 50th year, the Print 18 exhibit hall featured new technologies, product introductions, and technical solutions for printing technologies. In addition to exhibitors on the floor, the event included more than 80 educational sessions, with nearly 50 paid seminars and free education throughout the Learning Experience Theatre, the Printerverse, and the Exhibitor and Special Industry Presentations.
Above: In its 50th year, the Print 18 exhibit hall featured new technologies, product introduction, and technical solutions for printing technologies.
On the Floor
A variety of equipment, software, and services were displayed throughout the show floor—many making their North American debuts. The opportunity in print was a strong theme, with several vendors highlighting applications meant to inspire.
For example, Canon set up an imagined hospitality company to help display its Applications Gallery. The gallery recreated a lobby, office, restaurant, and hotel room setting—all of which showcased the diversity and relevance of digital print and the range of applications possible with its technology, from interior décor to promotional print. Several pieces of equipment were also on display, including the Canon imagePRESS C10000VP, imagePRESS C850, and the wide format Océ Colorado 1640. It also showcased partner technology from Duplo—the DCC-810 UV Spot Coater—to display the possibilities of print enhancement.
HP Inc. featured a broad spectrum of printing equipment in its booth. The HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press was demonstrated for the first time in the U.S. The company also debuted the new HP Latex R20000 Plus Printer, a latex hybrid wide format printer.
Konica Minolta cemented its commitment to the graphic arts and industrial portfolio, showcasing several new products including an exciting addition to its wide format portfolio, the AccurioWide 160 UV printer. Additional products included continuous high-speed production with the Webjet 100D, labels with the AccurioLabel 190 GM edition, sheet-fed inkjet with the AccurioJet KM-1, and printing embellishment with the MGI JV3D 9000L.
Ricoh featured an immersive and interactive experience featuring applications within a real-world setting. Additionally, the company showcased new products in its toner-based sheet-fed product line up, including the RICOH Pro C7210X Graphic Arts Edition five color press and the RICOH Pro C9200 Graphic Arts Edition.
Xerox showcased the recently introduced Iridesse Production Press, which now features the company’s exclusive Color FLX Technology, HD EA White Dry Ink, and Extra-Long Sheet Printing. Additional equipment was shown as well, including the Brenva HD Production Inkjet Press, Xerox Versant, and the iGen 5.
Finishing solutions were prevalent on the show floor, everything from entry-level to high-end solutions were available for visitors to see.
BlueCrest, formerly a division of Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies, made its company debut. It showcased a range of inserting systems, as well as the AcceleJet Printing and Finishing System.
Duplo focused on applications, inspiring attendees with many examples of output produced on its equipment. The solutions featured the limitless possibilities obtained with the Duplo UD-300 die cutter and the DDC-810 Raised Spot UV Coater, including business cards, notebooks, and calendars with tactile effects and stand out shapes.
JetFx Inc. announced and demonstrated RAINMAKER, a fully digital solution for print embellishment. The B2 format device produces tactile spot varnish coating and digital image foiling.
Morgana Systems launched and demonstrated several finishing solutions, including card cutters/creasers, the PowerSquare 160/224, and rotary die cutter.
Standard Finishing Systems presented a diverse lineup of feeding and finishing solutions, including live demonstrations of die cutting, perfect binding, trimming, slitting and creasing, folding, saddlestiching, and inspection systems. One of the most exciting solutions displayed was the Standard Horizon StitchLiner Mark III, which is the latest introduction in Horizon’s line of saddlestitchers, featuring expanded booklet size and increased productivity up to 6,000 booklets per hour.
Therm-O-Type featured its new Glue-Tech sheet-to-sheet gluer, which provides customers with an efficient and cost effective method of producing thick printed products.
Along with equipment, software solutions were demonstrated, offering print providers solutions to improve efficiency and profitability. Avanti highlighted several new integrations between its flagship Slingshot end-to-end workflow solution; PressWise by SmartSoft demonstrated new features like an enhanced user interface and expanded finishing calculations; and Rochester Software Associates showcased new software releases including updates to WebCRD, QDirect output manager, and ReadyPrint.
For a more comprehensive recap of the many vendors represented at Print 18, visit dpsmagazine.com for a four-part series segmented by category—printing, finishing, workflow, and consumables and services.
Until Next Year
The Print 18 event offered something for everyone in the business of print. In addition to extensive exhibitor displays, the show hosts, Association for Print Technologies—ApTech, ensured visitors access to educational sessions and seminars throughout the three-day event.
We look forward to next year’s show, which will take place once again in Chicago from October 3 to 5, 2019. See you there! dps
Nov2018, DPS Magazine
