Walking the floor at Graphics Canada: Day 1

Canada’s largest and longest-running showcase for the graphic communications and printing industry April 6-8, 2017 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario began yesterday. As I walked through Hall 5 on the first day renewing old friendships, I saw a steady flow of traffic for the tradeshow’s 170-plus exhibitors despite the miserable rainy weather outside that never seemed to let up. The mood of both the visitors and the exhibitors ranged from business-like to extremely upbeat – mostly because of the amazing equipment and technology on display. Here are some of the highlights as I saw them…..

• There were several new areas of potential growth and excellent opportunities for printers – including smart labels, intelligent packaging, security printing, printable electronics, 3D printing, inkjet applications, specialty graphics and industrial printing.
• There was new and upgraded equipment at seemingly every turn. You’d also be wise to check individual booths for new-product brochures, videos and more news about future rollouts.
• As always, I couldn’t resist the wit and wonder of 58-year printing industry veteran Frank Romano as he explored trends and opportunities in his “The New Print” presentation. His talk was a fascinating overview of an industry that gets “older” every time a new or emerging technology is revealed. The print CEO’s fireside chat later on with some of the top CEO’s was also quite revealing.

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  Trade-only 4over showcased its textured Suede Cards, Roll With It full-colour roll labels with a permanent adhesive, and The Digital Age first-class-style digital colour and B&W envelopes.
• Agfa Graphics Canada demonstrated, among others, its newest UV inkjet printer, the eco-friendly Jeti Ceres RTR3200 LED with state-of-the-art, air-cooled LED UV curing for mid-end to high-end applications at speeds up to 186 m²/hr.
• Canon Canada had the largest display at this year’s show spanning 4,500 square feet. And while it displayed numerous models (VarioPrint, ImagePress, imageRunner Advance Océ ColorWave and others), it was ImagePrograf Pro Series, especially the Pro-6000S, that really impressed when it came to reproducing fine and stunning detail.
• Epson Canada showed several new products including the SureColor P5000, SureColor P20000 and ColorWorks C7500G. The 64” SC-P20000 combines new super-fast printing speeds with superior photo quality and is ideal for high-volume production. But my personal favourites were the OEM’s SureColor Dye Sub and DTG printers. I simply couldn’t resist touching the printed fabric samples.
• Hans Shinohara Canada was promoting its sheetfed Laser Die Cutter LC340S for short runs, customs shapes and fast turnover times, as well as its PUR perfect binder and other book-finishing equipment. The technology helps printers enter more markets including high-end labels, packaging, gifts and more. Hans Shinohara also recently introduced the WH48DV Digital Spot UV Printer to Canada with spot UV coating up to 200 pL at 5,000 sph.

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  HP displayed several products. My choice was its HP Latex 1500 Printer that allows wider application versatility and higher profit potential than eco-solvent. Users can choose from a wide range of flexible coated and uncoated materials while expanding from vinyls and banners to films, papers, textiles, canvas, wallpaper and more.
• Insource showcased its state-of-the-art products and videos highlighting its vendors worldwide. On-site demos included an Insource IQ System Integration featuring a matchmate camera system, Kirk Rudy-Phoenix Inkjet System, affixer, tabber/clip sealer, refurbished equipment, Norpak high-speed inserter with Kirk-Rudy 319 Inkjet System, AstroJet M-Series Printer, Petratto folder/gluer and more. Insource also introduced its new vendor partnership with Microplex Printware showcasing the Logitech TC8 two-colour Thermal Transfer printer.
• Konica Minolta Business Solutions Canada’s booth was themed Changing the Face of Digital Print. To me, this was an understatement. Don’t miss demos of digital innovations including the unveiling of the AccurioPress C2070, and be sure to check out the AccurioJet KM-1, MGI Meteor Unlimited, Konica Minolta bizhub Press C71cf, and the groundbreaking MGI JETvarnish 3DS with iFoil. Its disruptive finishing technology can print 100% digital spot UV coating, 3D embossing and hot foil stamping in one pass.

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  Mimaki showcased a number of products with emphasis on UV-LED technology. My favourite was the JFX200-2513 UV flatbed printer – but I have to admit that its textile printing offerings were equally intriguing.
• Print Digital Services (PDS) demonstrated technology from Duplo, Multigraf, OKI, Mutoh and Ideal MBM. PDS was recently named exclusive master distributor of Multigraf AG and its line of creasers, stop perforation and folding equipment marketed under the Touchline Series. Highlighted was Duplo’s 616 Pro creasing, slitting and cutting technology, the new 516 capable of creasing 100 sheets per minute, the new OKI Xpress 942 (a CMYK + white printer), Triumph Cutters from Ideal MBM, and wide-format printers from Mutoh.
• Ricoh Canada introduced several solutions including the Special Colour for the Ricoh Pro C7100 X Series – its first 5-station digital colour production print system with the ability to print using clear, white, and now Neon Yellow Toner. Also check out the new Ricoh Pro 8200 Series of B&W multi-function production systems that provide image quality at reliable high speeds. Also featured was complete end-to-end document production systems and a full suite of finishing options.

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  Sydney Stone print finishing specialists displayed a full suite of finishing equipment and supplies. Canadian first showings included the Duplo Spot UV Coater producing raised and dimensional UV effects digitally, the Morgana DigiFold Pro 385 folder/creaser for heavy weight or cross-grained stock, special Polar Mohr 111th Anniversary pricing on the latest Mohr paper cutters, and instaFOIL – a new product for digital printers to create short-run spot foil in-house available in 9 colours.
• Xerox showcased its Brenva inkjet and Xerox Versant. The Brenva combines the cost effectiveness of inkjet with the flexibilities of cut-sheet for printers in the light direct mail, transactional and book markets. The 100-ppm, 1200 x 1200 dpi Versant combines speed, image quality and automation features to create colourful personalized communications, collateral, brochures, photo publishing and specialty products. You should also ask about Xerox’s new DTO Printer that can print photos, images and text directly onto 3D objects – on smooth, rough, slightly curved or stepped surfaces up to 1,200 dpi at 30 objects per hour.

Stay tuned. There’s more to come. Oh, and be sure to drop by our booth (5662), subscribe to our free Graphic Arts Magazine, and enter our free draw for a pair of Leafs playoff tickets. Yes, I said playoff tickets!