Category Archive

If you run light production equipment, you may not have given much thought to the Digital Front End of your printing device. There is no industry standard for what a DFE should encompass, or even a widely agreed set of guidelines. And, while you may have a choice of features and even vendors for the DFE, there hasn’t been much discussion of what should come next. What should you be asking for and when should you expect it?

In the previous post How to Make an Inkjet Sandwich I talked about the potential different ways that ink can react to a substrate when used in combination with other fluids such as primers or post-coatings. Those interactions make it critical to optimize all the fluids for your entire process, prior to linearization and profiling, to avoid print defects such as color to color bleed and coalescence.

Just as there are many types of inkjet printheads and ink, there are many types of processes for inkjet drying. Most printers combine several processes to create a drying solution. Ralf Schlozer discusses the fundamental factors related to drying in document and packaging printing environments including absorption, phase change, radiation and evaporation. It’s dry – but important.

There is no industry standard for what should be included in a digital front end, and there is no universal template that guides how much control the inkjet DFE should expose to an operator to permit changes in how a job will be processed. As we enter the 2020s, this is something that should change. It’s time for the buyers of inkjet presses to identify their expectations, list the features that make a difference to their operation, and categorize the challenges they may have with their current DFE.

The METIS 3D Scanner creates opportunities for designers and printers think outside the box and expand creative applications for all print markets. Being able to reproduce 3D texture reproductions with existing UV printing equipment or providing scanning services for CGI/PBR (computer-generated imagery/physical based rendering) applications allows designers to not only visualize but customize and develop 3D patterns.

Our latest research surveys production inkjet users on  requirements for print quality measurement when qualifying papers for use on inkjet presses and their satisfaction with OEM services related to meeting those requirements. Executive summary available to all. Premium members can download 18 page report.

A look at industry trends and events affecting the inkjet industry in 2019 and what to keep an eye on in 2020.

Inkjet is everywhere. Inkjet technology is moving fast; leveraging new fluids and creative chemistries to print on new and challenging substrates. More substrate compatibility has opened exciting markets within manufacturing

Ralf Schlozer provides an overview of the direct mail market in Europe and the impact of regionalization, postal regulations and GDPR on inkjet adoption. He also defines trends affecting the market for 2020.

According to research published in the Harvard Business Review, 97% of senior leaders said that “being strategic” was the leadership behavior most important to their organization’s success. However, a lot of executives don’t feel that they have time to be strategic. Inkjet purchases are a case excample where strategic intent is often marred by tactical execution. We can do better!

One of the fastest-growing applications in wide-format and industrial printing is textures, and while a lot has been written about how these kinds of materials are printed, typically using UV flatbed wide-format printers, not much has been said about the front end of the required process when developing inkjet imaged home décor such as flooring and window covering.

Offering new ideas to your organization while leveraging the USPS promotions may set the stage for positive change in 2020. Using inkjet platforms to enable print mail operations to enhance the usefulness of mail and take advantage of the various USPS promotions, while delivering value to consumers and postage savings to their organizations. A win, win, win.

Pat McGrew delivers the 3rd in her drupa series looking at some of the key announcement from 2016 and who has delivered – and who has not.

Mike Todryk, Color Technical Specialist for IWCO Direct shares three of the biggest client communication gaps impacting Production Service Provider’s ability to reproduce brand colors correctly. Educate your customers, educate yourself and get colors right the first time.

Ralf Schlözer provides an overview of key technology launches this week at InPrint Munich as well as insight into why this event is different and valuable.

Adding a tactile differentiator like soft-touch to inkjet pages is the simplest way to gain attention and make inkjet print stand out. Learn about options for different applications and the potential benefits beyond haptic response.

Ralf Schlözer, EU correspondent for Inkjet Insight provides the first in a series covering inkjet in Europe. Here’s an overview of inkjet market for transaction printing key market trends in individual countries. Welcome, Ralf.

Join Pat McGrew for Part 2 of “What to Look for at drupa 2020” and the questions to ask once you find it! Pat drills down with a great primer on inkjet tire-kicking that will make you think about requirements.

We picked up some new pricing and details on the RISO Valezus T2100 in Dallas last week. Check out this overview and video of the RISO booth at Printing United.

drupa 2020 is on the horizon. What should you expect? What should you look for? Pat McGrew has some thoughts on innovation, trade shows and the questions to ask when you get to Dusseldorf.