Print Industry News

Published news and source-linked reporting for printing, signs and graphics professionals.

• The Kiwi Suite: AI-Powered DTF Gang Sheet Builder for Print Shops

  The Kiwi Suite is the world's first standalone DTF gang sheet builder with patent-pending AI auto-nesting. Build, optimize, and export gang sheets without Shopify plugins or per-token fees. Used by print shops, apparel decorators, and schools across North America.

• EFI and Agfa Inkjet Solutions Agree to Combine in New Industrial Inkjet Company

  EFI and Agfa have signed a definitive agreement to combine EFI with Agfa's Digital Print & Chemicals business. Siris is expected to own 60% and Agfa 40% of the new company, which the companies say would have about $625 million in pro-forma 2026 revenue and customers in more than 100 countries. Closing is expected by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

• WIN Report Edition Zero Is Live — The Free No-Fluff Product Guide for the Printing Industry

  World Imaging News has launched WIN Report, a new bi-monthly digital trade publication. Edition Zero covers flatbed laminator worktables with full specs on five leading units. No marketing spin. Just the facts. Free to read.

• Kornit Digital Acquires PrintFactory

  Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) acquired PrintFactory, a Netherlands-based cloud-native RIP and workflow software company with 10,000+ users. Deal announced April 12, 2026. Financial terms not disclosed.

• Epson Takes a $170M Write-Down on Fiery

  On May 1, 2026, Seiko Epson Corporation disclosed a 25.9 billion yen ($170M) impairment loss on Fiery goodwill, citing deteriorating market conditions and constrained customer capital expenditure driven by US tariff policies.

• GRAPHICS PRO EXPO Show Discontinued by Cahaba Media Group

  Cahaba Media Group (CMG), parent company of GRAPHICS PRO magazine, announced the discontinuation of the GRAPHICS PRO EXPO (GPX) trade show series. CMG president Matthew Conroy cited a permanent shift in buyer behavior: buyers moved research and purchasing online and that attendance base did not return. GRAPHICS PRO magazine and its digital edition will continue. CMG acquired GPX from National Business Media in 2023.

• FESPA Barcelona 2026: The Launches, The Debuts, and The Moves

  World-class print technology converged in Barcelona. From Durst Group's new UV platforms to Roland DG's latex cut-and-print bombshell, here is what mattered on the show floor.

• 71 Winners Named in the 2026 PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle Awards

  PRINTING United Alliance recognized 71 companies across its 2026 Pinnacle Awards, spanning digital printing, finishing, software, and materials categories.

• Roland DG Unveils the VersaStudio BY2-20 for Direct-to-Film Production

  The new compact DTF printer brings dual white ink channels and production-grade reliability to small-format shops that cannot afford downtime on decorated apparel.

• SuperGamut Sentinel Automates DTF Finishing, Eliminates Manual Cutting

  The Sentinel uses aerial camera systems to read printed film and generate contour cut lines automatically -- no CAD files, no manual alignment, under 3 seconds per transfer.

• Polyprint Debuts Fully Powder-Free DTF Solution at FESPA Barcelona

  Polyprint's powder-free DTF technology eliminates one of the most persistent pain points in garment decoration -- inconsistent powder application and the mess that comes with it.

• Microtec Showcases End-to-End DTF Production Automation at FESPA Barcelona

  Microtec's integrated DTF workflow solution demonstrated fully automated production from print to finished transfer, reducing operator intervention at every stage.

• Roland DG Previews VersaOBJECT RC-300 Helical UV Printer at FESPA Barcelona

  The RC-300 helical UV printer opens new possibilities for cylindrical and curved-surface printing, targeting promotional products and industrial decoration markets.

• Signroller USA Established in Dallas, Texas

  The European flatbed applicator brand has formalized its North American presence with a dedicated US operation based in Dallas, targeting the wide-format sign and display market.

• The Kiwi Suite Introduces Patent-Pending AI Gang Sheet Technology for DTF

  Kiwi Suite's new AI-powered gang sheet builder automates layout optimization for DTF and UV DTF printing, reducing waste and setup time for high-volume decorators.

• DTF Superstore Expands Epson Access, Partners with SuperGamut

  DTF Superstore has expanded its Epson printer access and announced a new partnership with SuperGamut, positioning itself as a full-system DTF solution provider.

• CWT Graphic Worktools Launches Foam Cutter, Expands into Dimensional Signage

  CWT's new foam cutting system brings precision dimensional signage production to sign shops, enabling automated cutting of foam board and rigid substrates for 3D display applications.

• Plockmatic ColorCut SC7800 Pro-RS XL Delivers Fully Automated Dual-Sided Digital Creasing

  The SC7800 Pro-RS XL automates dual-sided digital creasing and cutting for short-run packaging and folded print applications, eliminating manual setup between jobs.

• ROLLSROLLER Flatbed Applicator: Precision Lamination for Wide-Format Sign Production

  The ROLLSROLLER flatbed applicator system brings consistent, bubble-free lamination to wide-format sign shops, handling rigid and flexible substrates up to full sheet sizes.

• Kala Flatbed Laminator Worktables: A Buyer's Guide for Sign and Display Shops

  Kala's flatbed laminator worktable lineup covers entry-level to production-grade applications. Here is what buyers need to evaluate before committing to a system.

• CUTWORX USA Receives 2026 PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle Product Award for Apex M Series

  The Apex M Series digital cutting system earned top honors at PRINTING United, recognizing its contribution to automated finishing workflows in sign and display production.

• Rollover AS Flatbed Applicator Targets High-Volume Sign and Display Finishers

  Rollover AS brings Scandinavian engineering to the North American flatbed applicator market, with a focus on throughput and operator ergonomics for high-volume finishing operations.

• Wasatch SoftRIP Version 8.4 Marks Three Decades of Innovation with Core Rebuild

  The latest release of Wasatch SoftRIP represents a ground-up rebuild of its core engine, delivering improved color accuracy and expanded device support across wide-format platforms.

• Are OEMs Cornering the RIP Market? The Top Ten Independent Providers

  With Kornit's acquisition of PrintFactory and Epson's Fiery write-down, the independent RIP market is contracting. Here is who the remaining players are and what it means for buyers.

• Caldera Releases PrimeCenter 5.0 with Enhanced Automation and Nesting

  Caldera's PrimeCenter 5.0 introduces advanced nesting algorithms and expanded automation features, targeting wide-format production environments running multiple printer types.

• AI Workflow Automation Emerges as Major Production Trend

  From automated nesting to AI-driven color correction, workflow automation is reshaping how wide-format shops approach production planning and job scheduling.

• ONYX Thrive Adds Advanced Color Management for Specialty Substrates

  ONYX Graphics' Thrive platform update expands color management capabilities for specialty substrates including textiles, ceramics, and architectural films.

• CoreFlow RIP Integrates with Hanrun Transfer Paper for Streamlined DTF Color

  CoreFlow RIP's deep integration with Hanrun Paper's i3200 platform delivers precision color management and continuous feed automation for high-volume DTF transfer production.

• Inkcups Appoints Bill Keating as New Chief Executive Officer

  Inkcups, a global leader in pad printing and UV inkjet technology, named Bill Keating as its new CEO effective May 19, 2025. Keating succeeds interim CEO Rick Hajec, who remains on the Inkcups Advisory Board.

• Easy Group's DTG PRO MagicInk Wins 2026 PRINTING United Pinnacle Award

  The Made in the USA, patent-pending MagicInk technology won the Textile Digital Inks category, recognized for its clog-free architecture that solves persistent maintenance headaches.

• InnoPrinter and Supply55 Announce Strategic Partnership for North America

  The partnership combines InnoPrinter's UV inkjet technology with Supply55's North American distribution network, targeting the growing market for direct-to-object printing.

• East Coast Open House Demo Day: Dimense DA-640 Dimensional Printing at Fisher Textiles

  Fisher Textiles, Media One, and Roland DGA invite print professionals to experience the Dimense DA-640 printer at Fisher Textiles HQ in Matthews, NC on August 5, 2026. The open house covers dimensional wallcovering applications, live DA-640 demonstrations, and how dimensional surfaces are being specified in design and branding projects. RSVP required.

• PDS Equipment UV Energize 2026 — Three Days of UV Print Education in Nashville

  PDS Equipment hosts UV Energize 2026, September 8-10 at The Westin Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. The three-day event covers live UV printing technology demonstrations, hands-on education from industry experts, business growth strategies, and one-on-one access to top suppliers. Widely recognized as the nation's premier UV print learning event. Seats are limited.

• ISA Sign Expo 2026: Quality Over Quantity on the Show Floor

  Attendance was focused and purposeful at ISA 2026. Vendors reported higher-quality buyer conversations and a clear industry appetite for automation and finishing solutions.

• PRINTING United Expo 2026: What to Expect on the Show Floor

  PRINTING United Expo returns to Las Vegas September 23-25, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show covers digital printing, finishing, substrates, and workflow technology across the full print production supply chain.

• Why Parametric Design Is the Next Productivity Unlock for Print Shops

  Most print shops still redraw packaging structures from scratch every time a customer changes a dimension. EngView's parametric approach lets structural designers build once and resize infinitely -- folding cartons, corrugated displays, and POP fixtures all update automatically when a single parameter changes. For shops doing any volume of structural packaging work, the time savings compound fast.

• Structural Packaging Inside Adobe Illustrator: EngView's Approach to Unified Design

  Graphic designers live in Adobe Illustrator. Structural designers live in CAD. EngView bridges both worlds by embedding its Package Designer directly inside Illustrator -- letting creatives apply artwork over a structural dieline and verify the result in 3D without leaving their native environment. For sign shops and display producers, this eliminates the back-and-forth between two separate teams and two separate files.

• POP and POS Display Design: How EngView's Software Handles the Hard Structures

  Retail displays are among the most complex structures a print shop can produce -- multipart corrugated assemblies with interlocking tabs, variable heights, and brand-specific graphics on every panel. EngView's Display Nesting and Master Canvas modules are built specifically for this work, automatically arranging multipart display components on a sheet and ranking layouts by least-waste criteria. The result is fewer material errors and faster production turnaround.

• 2,500 Packaging Standards Ready to Resize: Inside EngView's ECMA and FEFCO Library

  The ECMA and FEFCO international packaging codes cover the vast majority of folding carton and corrugated structures used in commercial production. EngView's parametric library includes all of them -- fully resizable, with every dimension linked so changing one measurement updates the entire structure. For print shops quoting or producing structural packaging, starting from a verified standard rather than a blank canvas eliminates a significant source of error and rework.

• 3D Packaging Visualization Is Changing How Print Shops Win Customer Approvals

  Sending a flat dieline PDF to a customer and asking them to visualize the finished box is a friction point that slows down every packaging project. EngView's 3D Presenter generates a photorealistic virtual prototype -- with the product inside the box -- that can be shared as a 3D PDF, a web link, or an MP4 video. Customers approve faster, revision cycles shrink, and the shop looks more professional. The 10-day free trial is a low-risk way to see how it fits your workflow.

• From Dieline to Cut File in One Step: EngView's CAM Module for Die-Makers

  Die-making is precision work where a single miscalculation multiplies across thousands of cuts. EngView's Diemaker bundle includes a CAM module that generates optimized tool paths for cutting plotters, lasers, and waterjets directly from the dieboard design -- no manual translation between design and machine. The Dieboard Design, Counterplate Design, and Stripping Dies modules cover the full die-making workflow from layout to production file. North American contact: Kris Hanchette at ContactUs@engviewusa.com or (469) 902-9754.

• DTF vs. DTG in 2026: Why USColorworks Just Made a $1M Decision That Tells the Whole Story

  USColorworks is replacing DTF production with Kornit's Atlas MATRIX DTG system to handle polyester on-demand orders, projecting 30% production growth. The decision reflects a broader shift: DTF dominates custom transfers and low-volume decoration, while the new generation of DTG is reclaiming on-demand, polyester, and high-volume production.

• AI in Print Shops: What the Industry Is Actually Doing vs. What the Vendors Are Selling

  WhatTheyThink's analysis of AI in production printing cuts through the hype: AI is facilitating incremental improvements, not replacing production processes. Color management, job routing, predictive maintenance, and waste reduction are the real use cases. Ninja Transfers' Shinobi chatbot is the most instructive real-world example -- not glamorous, but it solves a real problem.

• The LED Consolidation Wave: Principal Industries Acquires GENLED, and It Is Not the Last Deal

  Principal Industries acquired GENLED Brands this week, expanding its distribution network in the sign lighting segment. The deal is the latest in a pattern reshaping the LED supply chain since 2023 -- strategic buyers acquiring brands with established dealer networks rather than commodity product lines. Expect pricing power to shift toward consolidated suppliers as the number of competing brands shrinks.

• Print Employment Picked Up in May -- But the Non-Production Surge Is the Real Story

  Overall printing industry employment rose 1.0% in May, but non-production employment surged 2.5% -- the biggest single-month gain in that category in over a year. Non-production roles include sales, estimating, customer service, and management. The data signals that print companies are investing in commercial infrastructure, not just production capacity -- a direct response to what acquirers are paying for.

• The Finishing Equipment Gap: Why Wide Format Shops Are Leaving Money on the Table

  Wide Format Impressions data shows finishing equipment is having a growing impact on production inkjet throughput -- meaning the bottleneck in many shops is not the printer, it is what happens after the print. As inkjet speeds increase, finishing workflows that cannot keep pace make rated printer speeds theoretical rather than operational. Roland DG's integrated print-and-cut DTF system is the clearest example of the market responding to this constraint.

• Sustainability in Print Is No Longer Optional -- Nazdar, Kornit, and the Manifesto Making It Official

  Nazdar is a founding partner of the Sustainable Print Manifesto, a structured industry commitment to measurable sustainability targets across ink chemistry, substrate selection, and supply chain transparency. Two supply chain stories this week -- Royal Apparel's made-in-USA expansion and SanMar's MiiR partnership -- show the same pressure arriving from the buyer side. For print shops, the sustainability question is now arriving from two directions simultaneously.

• The Digital Signage and Print Convergence: OOH, QR Codes, and the 90-Foot Display That Changes the Question

  Three stories from the Canadian sign market crystallize the tension between digital and print signage: a 90-foot digital display installation, a pointed analysis of QR code conversion rates on static signage (typically under 2%), and Daktronics' LiveWrx platform for high school sports. The lesson is not that one medium replaces the other -- it is that each serves different functions in the same environment, and the shops that can spec both will win.

• swissQprint Expands, Mauveworx Invests in Dual Agfa, WINTIPAK Buys Heidelberg: What the Equipment Spending Wave Tells Us

  Three major equipment investment announcements in one week from WhatTheyThink tell a consistent story: print companies with strong fundamentals are spending on capacity right now. swissQprint opened a new facility, Mauveworx committed to two Agfa Tauro systems simultaneously, and WINTIPAK invested in a Heidelberg Boardmaster. In a market where many companies have been cautious since 2022, the willingness to commit at this scale is a meaningful signal about where demand is heading.

• Andigráfica 2025: Latin America's Print Industry Showcases Regional Innovation

  Andigráfica 2025 welcomed 150+ exhibitors and 15,000+ attendees in Bogota, Colombia. World Imaging News Latino provided on-site coverage of the region's flagship print event.