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WhatTheyThink

Digital & Inkjet

This topic section of WhatTheyThink focuses on emerging trends in the rapidly-growing area of digital printing technology. It features commentary and analysis on technical and business trends relative to digital printing applications.

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Xeikon

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article I look at Xeikon. Read More

Putting Inkjet in Reach for More In-Plant Printing Operations

In-plant printing experts agree that production flexibility is increasing in importance and inkjet can help operations to adapt. In this article, sponsored by Kyocera, Lois Ritarossi interviews Christopher Donlon of the IPMA and Mark Fallon of the Berkshire Company and discusses the accessibility of inkjet printing for in-plant printing operations of all sizes. Read More

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Ricoh Production Inkjet

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article I look at Ricoh Production Inkjet. Read More

Digital vs. Offset: Debunking Definitive Crossover Claims

What is the digital and offset economic crossover point? It’s not a straightforward question. Inkjet Insight’s Elizabeth Gooding provides highlights of a recent expert panel discussion that discussed the various criteria that contribute to determining the “sweet spot” for the crossover of offset to inkjet. Read More

Kyocera’s Expanding Footprint

Kyocera’s intention is clear: they are moving into the production print industry, and while they may be new to selling inkjet presses in this market, they have 30 years of expertise in developing ink and material jetting solutions, and an impressive track record at that. In this article, sponsored by Kyocera, David Zwang looks at their recent initiatives. Read More

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Canon Continuous Feed

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used, and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers, customers and document some of their journeys. In this article, I look at the journey of the Canon continuous-feed line. Read More

Executive Q&A: Kyocera’s Jose Maria Estebanez

WhatTheyThink European Section Editor Ralf Schlözer talks with Jose Maria Estebanez, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Kyocera, about the company’s first production inkjet press, the TASKalfa Pro 15000c. Read More

Print Volume Trends in Sheetfed and Continuous Feed Inkjet

Three weeks ago, as part of WhatTheyThink’s fourth annual Technology Outlook Week, our five-day series of webinars that look at the latest trends and technologies in a broad cross-section of the industry, Ralf Schlözer took a look at digital printing. In part two of her coverage of this session, Heidi Tolliver-Walker sums up the discussion of print volumes. Read More

The Production Inkjet Evolution: Canon Production Cut-Sheet Inkjet

In 2011, I began a series that looked at the then-current production inkjet vendor product offerings, and over the years continued to look at how they were being, or could be, used. In this new series, 15 years later and with drupa 2024 on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at how production inkjet has evolved, how it is used, and where we can expect it to go and grow. I will look at each of the production inkjet manufacturers and suppliers and customers and document some of their journeys. In this article, I look at Canon cut-sheet production inkjet. Read More

Technology Outlook: Digital Printing

Two weeks ago, as part of WhatTheyThink’s fourth annual Technology Outlook Week, our five-day series of webinars that look at the latest trends and technologies in a broad cross-section of the industry, Ralf Schlözer took a look at digital printing. In this article, Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps the webinar. Read More

Video

Bennett Graphics Sees An Advantage in Production Inkjet
Bennett Graphics Sees An Advantage in Production Inkjet

Published: September 19, 2023

In this video, sponsored by HP, David Zwang talks with David Bennett, President of Bennett Graphics, about his recent installation of an HP PageWide Advantage 2200 press. The 2200 is Bennett Graphics’ first production inkjet press, and was acquired to increase capacity for the company’s growing direct mail work. Watch Video

Label Source's Journey from the Basement to Production Inkjet
Label Source's Journey from the Basement to Production Inkjet

Published: August 29, 2023

Label Source started in a basement in 1991 and has since expanded organically and through acquisition with a host of different types of printing equipment, including production inkjet. David Zwang talks with COO Michael Wrigley about the company's journey. Watch Video

The Panther at Xeikon Keeps On Growing!
The Panther at Xeikon Keeps On Growing!

Published: August 29, 2023

Xeikon has been developing high-resolution digital (EP) presses since 1988, They decided to dive into production inkjet in 2017. David Zwang and it has been an interesting journey. David Zwang talks with Johan Van de Velde,Inkjet Product Manager, about Xeikon's journey. Watch Video

Strawbridge Studios Takes School Pictures and Yearbooks into Digital
Strawbridge Studios Takes School Pictures and Yearbooks into Digital

Published: August 29, 2023

David Zwang talks with Brendan Collopy of Strawbridge Studios, a 100-year-old school picture and yearbook printer. The company had been operating offset presses and has replaced them with digital equipment including a Canon Prostream 1800. Watch Video

Phoenix Innovate’s Inkjet Journey from the Perspective of the Customer
Phoenix Innovate’s Inkjet Journey from the Perspective of the Customer

Published: August 22, 2023

David Zwang speaks to Chris Dubach of Phoenix Innovate about how the company and its sales reps talk with customers about production inkjet printing vs. other technologies such as offset and electrophotography. Watch Video

From Desktop Printers to Production Inkjet—What an Evolution!
From Desktop Printers to Production Inkjet—What an Evolution!

Published: August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Scott Fish, President of Tri-Win Direct. Launched in Fish's apartment 28 years ago with no print industry background, the company has evolved to becomea successful printing and mailing company. The company started with desktop inkjet printers and now runs Ricoh high-speed production inkjet—and keeps on going! Watch Video

Ricoh’s Early Entry into Production Inkjet
Ricoh’s Early Entry into Production Inkjet

Published: August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Mike Herold, Director of Global Marketing for Ricoh about the the company’s production inkjet journey. It started with IBM and drop-on-demand inkjet, and Ricoh has been working on innovation and upgrades to enhance the performance and quality. Watch Video

Allied Printing’s Ben Fournier at thINK
Allied Printing’s Ben Fournier at thINK

Published: August 15, 2023

David Zwang talks with Ben Fournier of Allied Printing, a 74-year-old, third-generation family-owned commercial and direct mail printer. The company operates a variety of offset equipment and has a large digital department, which includes production inkjet equipment, for its direct mail work. Watch Video

Knight Abbey Bets on Digital Printing
Knight Abbey Bets on Digital Printing

Published: August 8, 2023

David Zwang talks with Tonya Spiers of Knight Abbey, a 40-year-old Biloxi, Miss.-based commercial printer that produces direct mail marketing, invitations, scratch-off cards, and other materials for the gaming industry. Once primarily an offset shop with some digital equipment, it has recently expanded into rollfed inkjet with a Canon Prostream. Watch Video

Impact’s Pete Studer on the Production Inkjet Transition
Impact’s Pete Studer on the Production Inkjet Transition

Published: August 1, 2023

David Zwang talks with Pete Studer, CEO of Impact, a 39-year-old company that started in the direct mail business and has expanded into other types of printing. The company operates all-digital equipment, and started working with Canon in 2015 to add production inkjet. Watch Video