Technology Review: Sustainable Innovation at FESPA Amsterdam 2024—Pioneering Green Printing Solutions

(Image credit: Kornit Digital)

There is a strong emphasis on sustainability and green innovation at FESPA Amsterdam 2024, further highlighting an important turning point in the trajectory of the printing industry.

Leading technology providers recently gathered in Amsterdam to showcase the latest advances in printing equipment, product applications, software, materials and energy-efficient production techniques. Green manufacturing is now a top priority for all visitors (and their consumers), highlighting the printing industry's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. This change not only aligns with global sustainability goals, but also opens up new avenues and countless commercial opportunities across multiple product areas.

Printing businesses need to respond to the requirements of an increasingly eco-conscious consumer base, and FESPA Amsterdam did not disappoint as a destination for printing innovation and ground-breaking industry insights. The marriage of sustainability and cutting-edge technology represents a forward-thinking approach for the printing industry, ensuring that the future of print is not only innovative but also responsible.

The show will be jam-packed with many topics for both the Personalization Conference and the Sportswear Conference, encouraging the expert community to network and absorb industry insights while fostering knowledge sharing from numerous experts and more. , many educational showcases were also held. The Sustainability Spotlight encouraged visitors to explore and learn from a library of innovative, responsibly sourced textiles. Meanwhile, at Personalize Make Wear – Smart Factory, visitors can witness and experience the technology of sportswear production first-hand through impressive live manufacturing demonstrations, fireside chats and expert guided tours. Ta. (We will discuss all these events in more detail in future articles.)

This review focuses on innovation and product launches within the community.

digital printing technology

mimaki europe, The leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers has announced the launch of a full UV print-and-cut solution consisting of the JFX600-2531 large-format flatbed UV printer and the CFX flatbed cutting plotter. -2531.
The JFX600-2531 flatbed UV printer responds to market demand for larger print sizes, following the favorable reception of the JFX600-2513 released in 2021. Increased print bed size while maintaining high productivity and maximum resolution of 1,200 dpi. The 3.1 meter long printer opens up new possibilities for printers, especially in architectural applications. An expanded print bed allows the JFX600-2531 to print directly onto commonly used architectural substrates such as glass and plywood in standard sizes of 3,000 mm. Printing on these substrates typically involves applying a printing film to the surface, so direct printing allows the original surface texture of the substrate to remain, except for the design area.

Agfa Under the tagline 'Powerful by Nature', FESPA Global Print Expo unveiled an enhanced and rebranded portfolio of inkjet printers featuring three new machines. The manufacturer said that the printer has been given a new identity. unique strengths.” New machines on display at the stand include the Jeti Condor RTR5200 S, a 5.2 meter wide roll-to-roll printer that can print up to 672 square meters per hour. Process various flexible substrates in up to three rolls simultaneously. This machine is field upgradeable with CMYK and optional His Lc/Lm/Lk and white and varnish for more design and application options. Although a rebadged version of the EFI Vutek Q5r, the launch of this machine with the Agfa Services and Workflow His package is a direct result of both Agfa and EFI adding his OEM machines to their portfolios earlier this year, and their respective product ranges. This follows the announcement that they have partnered to expand the. Also new from Agfa is the Jeti Bronco H3300 S, a 3.3 meter wide high-end UV-LED printer that can print a variety of sign and display jobs at up to 248 square meters per hour. 6 colors (CMYK/Lc/Lm) and white, with optional primer.

Meanwhile, from cornit digital, brands and retailers take advantage of Atlas MAX PLUS, Kornit's next-generation direct-to-garment product specifically designed to deliver the highest standards of quality, reliability, and color vibrancy across their business. can. Attendees were also given an overview of Kornit's groundbreaking direct-to-film solution, MAX Transfer. This allows both brands and retailers to expand application products with unique feel, enhanced durability, and placement versatility.

new from Roland DG. The VersaSTUDIO BD-8 is the first desktop flatbed UV printer in the manufacturer's VersaSTUDIO series. Additionally, Roland DG also unveiled the new VersaSTUDIO BY-20, a desktop direct film (DTF) system that allows users to create heat transfer graphics from PVC sheets.

inktech has launched its latest JETRIX printer. The JETRIX LXa5 is a 2.5 x 1.3m LED UV flatbed printer specifically developed to provide professional-grade large format printing at an economical price. Achieve photorealistic prints using the Konica Minolta 6PL printhead, which provides high-resolution printing capabilities. Print speed up to 37 square meters/hour. It offers resolutions up to 1440 x 726 dpi and can work with media up to 100 mm thick. Designed with the user in mind, it features pneumatic pin registration for fast and accurate media placement, and a sophisticated anti-crash system to protect the print head.

Electronics for Imaging Co., Ltd.. introduces the EFI VUTEk Q3h XP printer, a true high-speed hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer, delivering superior quality imaging and flexible, versatile production-level throughput, as well as next-generation 3.2m EFI Pro 33r roll Provides two rolls. LED printer.

The Flora X20 UV hybrid printer is Ricoh It was first shown in Europe at FESPA. The first compact-footprint hybrid printer co-developed with Flora follows last year's partnership agreement announced by Ricoh and incorporates Ricoh's printhead technology, ColorGATE RIP software and ICC profiles, with the Flora X20 UV Can run rigid and flexible media up to 5.1 inches and 5.1 inches. Can be used on substrates up to cm thick, from PVC banners to vinyl and rigid boards.

Vanguard announced the first look at its VKR3200-HS roll-to-roll printer with a new look, advanced user-friendly software, and new design. The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is a true roll-to-roll printer that delivers incredible quality for banners, electrostatic adhesion, wallpaper, and other flexible materials. The VKR3200-HS can handle a single roll of 3.2 m or a two-roll configuration of up to 1.6 m.

Cutting/processing

For even more cost-effectiveness with innovative solutions, Zunt's New substrate loading enhancements with UNDERCAM enable semi-automatic substrate feeding, job identification and registration during the production process. The efficiency and flexibility of cutter operation saves both time and money. The system consists of a cutter extension with a glass plate and an UNDERCAM for registering jobs from below. This significantly increases productivity even in applications that involve cutting or creasing the back (front) side of the material.

from kongsberg, the C24 is equipped with the latest iPC (i-cut Production Console) software, specially developed to help users more easily harness the power and precision of their equipment and get the most out of their investment. . iPC allows you to set up standard production workflows, create simple designs and layouts, and run manual or fully automated production.

fabric and media

burger textileAs part of its broader sustainability manifesto, the company, a leading global supplier of wide-format digital printing, upholstery and apparel textiles, has launched EVO, a range of GRS certified textiles covering all soft signage applications. The EVO series realizes Berger Textiles' commitment to a more circular business, offering a complete set of more sustainable textiles produced using GRS-certified recycled yarns without compromising on performance. To do.

premier digital textile, Europe's leading supplier of high-quality coated fabrics for digital textile printing, introduced two pioneering products at this year's FESPA exhibition. Committed to pushing the boundaries of the textile industry, the company is proud to introduce 100% recycled cotton prepared for digital printing and an innovative biodegradable polyester also designed for the digital printing sector. I am thinking.

ink and chemicals

nazdar ink technology showcased examples of its new and existing digital inkjet, screen and flexo ink ranges, as well as its innovative special effects portfolio.

mexar ink announced its flagship product, Mexar TEX1, a high-performance water-based pigment ink for textile printing applications. The highest quality inkjet-grade pigments are combined with Mexar's proprietary textile binder system to produce superior performance in color gamut, printability, and fastness. Available in a wide range of colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, black, blue, red, green, orange, violet, and gray. This allows Mexar TEX1 to produce a wide color gamut suitable for fashion, home decor, and other textile printing markets.

Digital printing software

JK group announced their new color calibration software Color Pack at the event. Dover Industries' new calibration and color management software creates the perfect recipe for each color in your design, pixel by pixel, and sends it to your existing RIP. Color Pack extends customers' color gamut, increases ink yield, simplifies color management and reduces processing time thanks to a unique color algorithm that improves ink performance. Color Pack makes the entire calibration easy and intuitive, balancing the main variables of the printing process: ink, substrate, and printhead.

onyx has introduced Onyx 24, the latest release of its RIP software. It introduces key optimizations that address key industry challenges in printing automation and efficiency. Developed with feedback from industry experts, version 24 brings significant advancements, including automating multi-layer preparation.

In conclusion to our review, FESPA 2024 continues to lead as a destination for innovation and print industry insights. Next year's show will take place in Berlin from May 6th to 9th, 2025.

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