by DPS Staff
Hunkeler Innovationdays takes place from February 24 to 27, 2025 at the Lucerne exhibition centre in Switzerland. The international print event is focused on high-performance digital printing and finishing. Under the theme “CONNECT,” a clear message is sent—in Lucerne, the leading minds of the digital printing industry will once again gather to experience and shape the future of the industry by connecting people, solutions, and processes.
Above: Hunkeler Innovationdays last took place in 2023. This February it will once again occur in Lucrene, Switzerland. Every two years, Hunkeler AG, a leading provider of digital printing and finishing solutions, organizes The Hunkeler Innovationdays event.
Founded in 1922, Hunkeler AG has grown from a small Swiss company into a global leader in paper processing and digital printing technology. The company is known for its high-quality, innovative products and strong customer focus.
Approaching the 15th installment of the event, The Hunkeler Innovationdays started out as a small open house and evolved into what it is today—a significant global gathering for the digital printing and finishing industry.
Approximately 6,700 visitors from 100 nations traveled to the event in 2023, compared to 6,500 visitors in 2019, according to the event website.
The 2025 edition of Hunkeler Innovationdays is expected to feature several changes and enhancements. For example, the event now features more space and expanded premium and standard stands. The catering area has been relocated to a quieter environment to facilitate better networking opportunities. Additionally, there will be more production printing systems on display, including both continuous and sheet-fed systems. These changes reflect Hunkeler AG’s commitment to constantly improving to meet the evolving needs of exhibitors and visitors alike.
Exhibitors
Exhibitors represent leading suppliers from the prepress, digital printing, and finishing to substrates, consumables, and software. These companies plan to present and introduce some of the latest products and solutions.
Notable exhibitors include Canon, Fujifilm, Gelato Connect, Heidelberg, Horizon, HP, Hunkeler, Kodak, Kurz, MBO/Komori Groupl, Muller Martini, Ricoh, Scodix, and Screen.
Here are some highlights:
Bindwel highlights its Freedom Series Binders and Insta and Trimit 30SRS. Freedom Series Binders is a multifunctional systems capable of inline bulk processing while maintaining agility for short-run production. Insta and Trimit 30SRS is ideal for micro-production, one-book runs, and short-run projects, delivering exceptional quality for bespoke publishing.
BlueCrest will proudly be exhibiting the INTELLIJET ADVANTAGE 2200, ideal for high volume digital printing of transactional and marketing applications, the latest version of the EVOLUTION mail inserter with in-line full color envelope printing and the VELOCITY low- to mid-volume mail inserter connected directly to a printer. Bound by cloud software solutions on the BLUECREST STRATA PLATFORM, visitors can experience a complete and integrated print and mail workflow.
Canon will collaborate with industry partners and showcasing to its customers the latest developments in its high-performance digital printing portfolio. Under the theme of “The Power to Move,” Canon will show how the power of digital print can move people and move businesses forward and how successful brands and print service providers leverage Canon’s transformative technologies, services and support. With the motto of this year’s show being “CONNECT,” Canon will be demonstrating the latest developments in its technology portfolio and how its end-to-end workflows can seamlessly integrate with customers’ ecosystems. Visitors across the digital segment, including online printers, commercial printers, book printers and publishers—and printers of promotional/business communications, will see how Canon’s technology and service portfolio has the power to connect people, solutions and processes to shape the future of print.
Diversified Nano Solutions Corporation (DNSC), based in San Diego, CA, specializes in developing and manufacturing nanomaterials and fluids used in high-performance functional inks for digital printing, custom applications, research and special effect surface applications. The company highlights how its x-nano ink product line provides a range of solutions that utilize dyes and nanopigments in long-term stable suspension, including Magnetic Ink Character Recognition—MICR; visible and invisible Color Fluorescent—Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, White; UV [254-395nm] / IR Absorbing [780-1070nm]; and special pigmented/hybrid inks for food grade and non-food applications. These digital inks support thermal and piezoelectric printheads using aqueous, oil, energy curable (UV/LED), solvent, and eco-solvent based inks. DNSC maintains manufacturing facilities in Europe and the U.S.
Enfocus returns to the Hunkeler Innovation Days with the latest versions of its market-leading solutions for printers. This includes gold-standard automation solutions like Switch, PitStop, Phoenix, and Griffin, which streamline workflows and turbocharge efficiency for print professionals. The modular design of each solution ensures they can be customized to suit specific business needs with a range of plugins and modules. Visitors can experience these latest updates for themselves, learning how Enfocus software helps to further improve efficiency and collaboration across every area of a print business.
Gelato showcases GelatoConnect, our AI-powered software solution designed to help print producers unlock their full potential and shape the future of production. More than an end-to-end software platform, GelatoConnect enables a shift from traditional mass production to mass customization, opening doors to booming markets, including ecommerce and the creator economy.
HEIDELBERG showcases its digital ecosystem for end-to-end production based on the new Jetfire 50. The company can be found in Hall 1 at Stand P 2, which it is sharing with Müller Martini AG. This is the first exhibition at which the system is being presented in the HEIDELBERG design. In a world premiere, HEIDELBERG will also be unveiling the Fireline nearline postpress solution with the Stahlfolder TH 56/66 models for automated end-to-end production in digital printing.
The Hönle Business Unit Curing will be presenting LED-UV and UV curing systems as well as IR/hot air dryers for digital printing. This year, our focus is on combined infrared/hot air modules designed for drying water-based inkjet inks. A world first will be the UV Scan MACS, a dose measuring device, featuring patented measurement technology.
Hybrid’s OEM business unit (formerly Global Graphics Software) will highlight SmartDFE—the Digital Front End for single-pass, high-speed digital presses. SmartDFE’s capabilities include an AI-accelerated Harlequin RIP farm that drives data inline directly to the printhead electronics and OPC UA connectivity for industrial print environments, as well as integrated prepress workflow automation and advanced PDF editing tools. Meteor Inkjet will also be on hand to discuss printhead drive electronics and waveform development for inkjet printing devices. Hybrid’s ColorLogic business unit will demonstrate its latest color management products that deliver superior color accuracy, consistency, and flexibility for even the most complex print jobs.
Ironsides Technology is presenting at its third HID, fully supporting their “Connect” motto as Ironsides has been connecting in real time to diverse production operations since 2007. With our completely open and agnostic tracking system we collect machine and client production data across all production platforms. From this we build your unique database to drive Productivity and Cost Analytics to help you improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve margins. There is nothing artificial about the intelligence driven by our Nor’Star system because it is unique to your operations, your clients, and your production profile. Please visit us in booth #421 for an interesting introduction to our proven system!
IST will showcase our latest advancements in Smart Curing Technology, designed to revolutionize the curing process in industrial printing. Visitors can experience how our innovative solutions deliver unmatched precision, energy efficiency, and real-time monitoring capabilities, ensuring superior results for even the most complex applications. With our data-driven, intelligent UV LED Curing systems, we’re setting new standards in curing performance, sustainability, and process optimization.
KURZ presents the DM-MAXLINER 2D in live action, offering an immersive experience with interesting machine demonstrations and expert insights. This marks the machine’s second public showcase following its market debut at Drupa. Additionally, visitors can explore the DM-UNILINER 3D with a state-of-the-art interactive exhibit highlighting our 3D Inkjet-on-Substrate technology for label and web fed applications. We will also feature the MPRINT monojet, alongside applications showcasing hot, cold, and digital embellishment solutions, including security features for brand protection.
MBO America will be exhibiting its revolutionary M9 Buckle Folder, a new dimension in folding technology designed to redefine efficiency and precision in the print finishing process. The M9 Buckle Folder is a flagship innovation, offering unparalleled user-friendliness, maximum production reliability, and significant reductions in setup times. With up to 24 buckle plates, the M9 delivers unmatched flexibility and precision. It incorporates advanced features such as camera systems, water scoring, and faulty product ejection, all of which can be monitored and controlled through its intuitive machine control system. These enhancements ensure a stable production process, making the M9 ideal for a wide range of applications.
Muller Martini presents three exciting solutions for your Smart Factory at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025. A Jetfire 50 inkjet printing system from Heidelberg will produce in-line with the Hunkeler Starbook Sheetfolder and a HP PageWide Advantage 2200 will produce in-line with the Hunkeler Starbook Plowfolder. The blank sheets and paper rolls will be printed and manufactured into pre-glued book blocks and this output from both systems will feed into separate Vareo PRO perfect binders and a single InfiniTrim robot trimmer and finally sorted. In Smart Factory environments, demand for saddle-stitched magazines, brochures and catalogs is also growing. Therefore Müller Martini presents at the HID booth the new, highly automated Prinova Digital saddle stitcher. The Connex Workflow System controls all the solutions shown at the Müller Martini booth, from the imposition of the print file to sorting the finished products.
OneVision Software presents its modular automation solutions that seamlessly integrate production processes—from file preparation, printing and finishing to postpress. The aim is to make existing system landscapes more efficient, flexible and sustainable. Streamlining production processes with automation software Producing on-demand books, photo books, direct mailings, and other print products in digital and inkjet printing faces the challenge of combining top-quality printing with efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Successful providers rely on automation, innovative technologies, and thoughtful optimization of the entire value chain.
Quadient showcases its cutting-edge hardware and software solutions designed to revolutionize mailing, printing and customer communications in Hall 2. At the event, Quadient will unveil its latest folder inserter, the DS-1200 G5iQ, and also highlight its MACH 9DS full-color dynamic envelope printing solution for personalized envelopes. Quadient’s intelligent document automation and customer communications management software solutions will also be highlighted, including Quadient Inspire and Quadient Impress. Visitors to Quadient’s booth will see live demonstrations of folding and inserting systems and digital communication integration and can also consult with Quadient experts for tailored insights and recommendations for their unique business needs. Whether for improving mail processing, transitioning to digital communication or automating critical workflows, Quadient’s powerful cloud solutions offers compliance, security and peace of mind.
Ricoh demonstrates highly automated, end-to end-processes enhancing print operations’ productivity in Hall 2, stand P6; along with its high-speed inkjet and sheetfed production portfolio, represented by the RICOH Pro VC80000, Ricoh Pro VC40000, and RICOH Pro C9500 technologies; as well as an interactive presentation of the RICOH Pro Z75 B2 inkjet press. Software solutions including RICOH TotalFlow BatchBuilder and RICOH ProcessDirector will empower enhanced efficiency and profitability while RICOH Predictive Insight™ will show how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities can provide data driven insights into device utilisation and operator productivity.
RISO will be exhibiting its inkjet technology coupled with the SDD Press Trim Module. This booklet finisher can create finished booklets by pressing and trimming on three sides, and offers a square bind for a more polished look. RISO will also be showcasing its VALEZUS T2200 printer, with dual feeding and stacking capabilities and a capacity of 8,000 sheets, and printing speeds up to 320 impressions per minute.
Solimar Systems, Inc. is present in key partner stands, RISO and Screen demonstrate the benefits and use cases of their industrial PDF optimization solution, ReadyPDF Prepress Server. This product optimizes fonts, images, objects, and colors and fixes most structural issues, creating PDFs that process more efficiently for printing on production cut-sheet devices, continuous feed presses, and for online ePresentment, with full document fidelity.
SpencerMetrics will be presenting the latest CONNECT and LYNK systems at Hunkeler Innovation Days 2025. Attendees will witness LIVE, real-time connectivity with multiple machines on the show floor, offering a hands-on experience of an interactive production environment. The showcase will highlight seamless integration with equipment from partners such as HP, Hunkeler, Horizon, and other leading print and finishing vendors, demonstrating the capabilities and power of SpencerMetrics’ advanced Industry 4.0 platform.
Ultimate Tech provides with leading software provider for imposition, nesting and finishing automation. Showcasing at HID2025 agnostic connectivity and flexibility and scalability with new connectivity interface to allow more control to programmatically drive imposition and nesting as well as tie in finishing with even more device support to be announced at the show.
XMPie showcased its advanced, Data-Driven Print and VDP solution. Perfect for high-volume, high-speed jobs, users can inject real-time data to guarantee timely, relevant, and personalized customer journeys. XMPie integrates seamlessly with Adobe InDesign and is compatible with all print presses. Built to scale, it empowers Print Service Providers (PSPs) to maximize the potential of their modern print presses, add more value to print, and make every interaction count.
Grüezi
Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 offers industry professionals a reason to come together to grow and learn.
Jan2025, DPS Magazine
