Expo Kicks Off with Bold Visions, Big Tech, and AI Transformation

By Toni McQuilken

The following article was originally published by Printing Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, Today on PIWorld.

PRINTING United Expo kicked off this year in Orlando, Florida, with Media Day, held on Oct. 21, the day before the show floor opened for business. More than 50 members of the press from around the world came together for a full-day event to hear about the latest technologies, product launches, and news from some of the top print industry exhibitors.

Kicking off both the day and the Expo, Nathan Safran, vice president, and Lisa Cross, principal analyst, Alliance Insights, set the stage with an overview of the trends and market forces driving printers of all types and sizes.

They gave tidbits from several studies, both of which are out now, as well as a sneak peek at some of the findings from studies that will come out before the end of the year. And through it all, there are a few common threads driving print service providers.

First and foremost, 2025 has been a challenging year — and that is backed up by hard data. Overall, the print industry as a whole saw just a 0.6% increase in sales. Challenges around tariffs, market and economic uncertainty, and challenges around things like labor and productivity all contributed to those numbers. That said, there are leaders beating that statistic by a wide margin, while those lagging behind are in many cases seeing losses.

Unsurprisingly, AI is a major talking point across every level of the print industry, from the small local operations serving their immediate communities to the global behemoths with customers that span every continent. Across the board, AI is something no one can afford to ignore, Safran and Cross stressed in the presentation.

Helping drive some of those numbers home, they talked about some of the highlights from the brand new AI research report, “AI Adoption in the Printing Industry: From Curiosity to Competitive Advantage,” launching at PRINTING United Expo, and available in the PRINTING AI Pavilion, Booth 4255, as well as in the Packaging Impressions research library.

One key highlight from that study that Safran called out as the “money shot” is taking a closer look at how print organizations have benefited from AI adoption. The difference between the market leaders and those lagging behind is a stark one. Leaders are seeing increased production efficiency, improved quality and consistency, and have freed up their staff from repetitive tasks. Make sure to pick up (or download) a copy of the report to get an in-depth look at how your peers are tackling AI right now — and what they’re planning for the coming months.

Lisa Cross, principal analyst, Alliance Insights

Cross presented some highlights from a report that will come out before the end of the year, taking a closer look at how convergence is driving profitability across all segments. Driving the increased pace of convergence is the need to stay competitive, new technologies creating new opportunities, and customer demands.

In fact, Cross previewed a few interesting facts — with a caveat that the study is still ongoing, and while they feel they have a statistically significant number right now, these could change as they close it out. First, those who have embraced a new segment outside of their traditional competencies have seen an average 15.6% increase in their revenue. In addition, they are seeing a 10.3% increase in their overall profitability.

But, Cross noted, what is driving PSPs to move into a specific segment over another is customer demand — 54% cited that as the reason they felt they needed to make the investments in time and resources to enter a new space. Stay tuned for the full convergence report later this year.

Overall, Safran and Cross helped to paint the picture of today’s print industry — both the challenges printers face, and the many opportunities out there for those willing to make the investments in their people, their equipment, and their technologies. It was the perfect way to set the stage for everything PRINTING United Expo will offer.

Move Forward with Canon

Canon U.S.A. (Booth 2642), the title sponsor of PRINTING United Expo, took the stage following Safran and Cross as the first sponsor company to give the media a sneak peek of what the company is showcasing at its booth. Bob Barbera, fellow, customer marketing production, led the discussion with a look at Canon’s portfolio of printing solutions, many of which are on the show floor. This year’s theme, “Move Forward with Canon,” complements the number of solutions highlighted, including the varioPRINT iX1700, the varioPRINT iV7, and the new Colorado XL.

Bob Barbera, fellow, customer marketing production, Canon U.S.A.

“These products we've announced very recently are major new product milestones for the industry,” Barbera said. “It really shows the level of commitment and investment Canon is making to this industry.”

The product portfolio also proves Canon’s commitment to growth in the packaging industry with its launch of the LabelStream LS2000 and corrPRESS iB17, its focus on intelligent automation, and its emerging technology with its first time showing HeightIQ, its new automation software for the creation of dimensional print files on the Canon Arizona printers.

Diving deeper into the global premiere of the Colorado XL, Rich Reamer, senior director, product planning and strategy, large-format systems, explained to the Media Day attendees that the new device “isn’t just a wider Colorado.” It is “modular to the max,” available in both a roll-to-roll (XL7R) and hybrid (XL7H) version. There are only two Canon UVgel 850 printheads on the device, and it uses FullBeam Curing and TRIdrive (three-roller interaction).

Fujifilm's M.O.R.E. Methodology

Andrew Gunn, director of Sales Enablement at Fujifilm Graphic Communication Division (Booth 3021), introduced Fujifilm’s M.O.R.E Methodology, which focuses on the company’s commitment to Multi-platform production, Optimized performance, Revenue growth, and Expanded experiences. Fujifilm’s “Make More” campaign showcases the company’s dedication to going beyond the product portfolio and helping customers print smarter, adapt to demand in real-time, and turn operational challenges into strategic growth-driving advantages.

Andrew Gunn, director of Sales Enablement at Fujifilm Graphic Communication Division

At the Expo, Fujifilm is launching its first entry-level wide-format printer, the 63” Acuity TR roll-fed printer equipped with Fujifilm’s AQUAFUZE water-based UV i water-based ink. AQUAFUZE combines photopolymer dispersion with water-based UV curing to reduce printhead nozzle clogging, improve ink ejection, and eliminate the need for primers, optimizers, or topcoats.

Also new at the booth are the mid-range Revoria Press EC2100 and SC285 series, equipped with specialty toner stations in addition to their four-color toners, enabling five-color printing in one pass.

Fujifilm is displaying an entire platform of unprecedented innovation, Gunn emphasized, giving customers the power to “make more.” They can get better color and quality, print on nearly anything, increase engagement, rev up productivity, eliminate costly missteps, and grow their business more sustainably.

“And this all adds up to more impact, more ease, more profit,” Gunn said.

Durst Goes Big

Equipment and software company Durst (Booth 3156), as well as its subsidiary company Vanguard Digital Printing Systems (Booth 3162), highlighted a variety of new printing devices, both with a strong focus on the wide-format segment.

Becky McConnell, Durst Marketing Manager, described the company’s new P5 500 TEX iSUB, which made its world debut at this year’s FESPA event in Berlin. She said the new machine is built on the existing foundation of Durst’s 3.5m P5 sublimation printer, but with a width of 5 meters (196 inches), it enables PSPs to “go big” with their prints. The P5 500 TEX iSUB, she described, includes in-line sublimation, the ability to use transfer paper when needed, possesses enhanced media handling for smooth and reliable production, and supports the “widest array of compatible fabric options."

Becky McConnell, Durst Marketing Manager

McConnell also described Durst’s new P5 X flatbed printer, the company’s first true flatbed printer (though it can also operate in a roll-to-roll configuration), which is having its first introduction at the Expo this year. Durst’s P5 350 has also been upgraded with a new “XT” model, with enhanced features that enable faster production, higher print quality, enhanced ink properties, and modular automation. McConnell also highlighted that Durst is presenting its Open Software Initiative for the first time. It focuses on connecting software and solutions to increase integrated workflow, whether PSPs are utilizing Durst products or not.

Highlighting new developments from Vanguard Digital Printing Systems is its new Natchez flatbed, which McConnell noted enables high-quality printing on the widest range of substrates, noting it was designed to handle difficult substrates. She also highlighted new versions of the company’s Radnor hybrid printers, which now include two models for choices in productivity. The Radnor 3200, as an example, can operate at up to 3,875 sp.ft.hr. She reported that the Radnor, which was introduced at last year’s PRINTING United Expo, “has been a hit.” It also includes six independently-controllable vacuum zones to ensure substrates stay down – and giving the operator greater control.

Adding to Vanguard’s “print and cut” configuration for its Harpeth printer, also introduced at this year's Expo, the company this year is featuring a print-to-stack workflow, which is capable of stacking 4x8’ or 5x10’ boards, neatly stacking them so they are ready for post-production activities.

Müller Martini Outlines Practical Roadmap for Short-Run Book

Müller Martini (Booth 3234) used its Media Day briefing to outline a finishing roadmap for profitable short-run and book-of-one production. The remarks were delivered by Andy Fetherman, president and CEO of Müller Martini North America. The centerpiece of Fetherman’s presentation was a newly added ability of the Antaro Digital perfect binder that is making its global debut at this year’s Expo.

The world first is an end-sheet capability and buffered cover matching to create hardcover book blocks inline, while maintaining high-throughput, book-to-book automation for its softcover jobs. Fetherman explained, “We now have the ability to make a hardcover book block with the Antaro. We didn’t have that last show. That’s new, being debuted here at PRINTING United Expo.” While the Antaro was shown at drupa, Antaro did not have this new hardcover capability.

Andy Fetherman, president and CEO of Müller Martini North America

Another first at this year’s Expo is the U.S. showing of the Hunkeler GEN8 EVO roll-to-stack. It is running at the joint Müller Martini/Hunkeler booth.

Automation was another focus of Fetherman’s presentation. He emphasized the role of the linkage to connectivity in Müller Martini’s definition of automation. Specifically, he said, “Automation. It doesn’t mean putting a motor on a spindle. It means really designing things from the group up that are fully automated.”

This thoughtful approach is also evident in the branding and channel transition associated with Müller Martini’s acquisition of Hunkeler. Fetherman provided background information about the multi-year agreement between Standard Finishing Systems, Müller Martini, and Hunkeler. He explained the 17-month transition in the U.S. and Canada for much of the Hunkeler business to move under Müller Martini Corp., with uninterrupted access to solutions, parts, training, and technical services stated as a top priority.

Agfa Champions Sustainability, Automation, and Innovation

Deborah Hutcheson, director of strategic business development and distribution at Agfa North America (Booth 3166), took the stage. During her presentation, Hutcheson explained that attendees at Agfa’s booth can expect a commitment to sustainability, new technologies, and automation.

Deborah Hutcheson, director of strategic business development and distribution at Agfa North America

“One of the things that we've been working on internally, and I know a lot of our customers are dealing with sustainability and how that can be incorporated into the print environment. It's our commitment to be the long-term partner that empowers our printing companies to operate more sustainably,” Hutcheson said.

To make those more sustainable moves, Agfa utilizes LED lighting technology and has developed a patented "Thin Ink Layer" technology that uses high-strength pigments to apply a thin ink layer, resulting in lower ink consumption and costs.

Agfa’s expo lineup includes the Pinnacle Award-winning Onset Panthera FB3216; the Jeti Tauro H3300 XUHS; the Anapurna Ciervo H2500; the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS; and the Speedset Orca. Visitors to Agfa’s booth will see the Onset Panthera FB3216 in action with dual robots, which Hutcheson referred to as “the high-five for robotics.” Essentially, one robot will be printing, while the other is handling materials.