By Cassandra Balentine Brewery and winery goers love their merchandise, including barware like pint and wine glasses. Direct to object (DtO) printing technologies make it easier than ever to offer short runs of custom glasses commemorating anything from the company’s logo to a limited edition drink. “Statistically, DtO printing in the glass industry is continuing to extend its market share,” offers Christian Maas, managing director, Koenig & Bauer Kammann GmbH. “Although still outnumbered by conventional labels for beer and wine, more beer designers take an interest in direct decoration fo ..read more

By Melissa Donovan Roll-to-roll (R2R) printers function to further efficiency in print shops. Print service providers (PSPs) positively respond to efficiency features because of how pivotal they are in making their print shops productive. “Efficiency holds significant appeal for PSPs utilizing R2R printers for various compelling reasons. Firstly, enhanced efficiency often equates to cost savings, as quick changeovers, reduced downtime, and streamlined workflows lead to higher productivity with fewer resources resulting in lower operational costs and increased profit margins. Moreover, efficien ..read more

By Digital Output Staff The ISA Sign Expo takes place April 10 to 12, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Hosted by the International Sign Association (ISA), the show is a must-attend event for anyone in the sign industry. Admission to the expo includes walking the show floor to witness close to 500 exhibitors, The Wrap Experience, and Learning Lounge. The Wrap Experience, powered by ISA and The Wrap Institute, is an interactive booth area that surrounds the Never Stop Learning Wrap Contest. The Wrap Experience brings together companies and products to inspire new reve ..read more

by Melissa Donovan The ability to print to anything is credited to advancements in printhead technology, hardware configurations, software solutions, and ink sets. A fun segment to peek into is toys and games, whether for a hobbyist, children, or promotional products. Choosing Digital VIECO Inc. owns PromotionChoice.com out of San Diego, CA. In business since 1999, the company began with two employees and today staffs 15 out of 2,500 square feet of space to offer its customers decoration of promotional products as well as custom printing. Main categories include apparel and bags, drinkware, tr ..read more

By Digital Output Staff Editorial content, advertisements, as well as product and company announcements are the main generators of our annual Readers’ Choice Top 50 awards. Digital Output readership interacts with our print publication and the web—at digitaloutput.net, reading the weekly eNewsletter, and viewing webinars. These engagements are compiled and result in 50 notable vendors and ten honorable mentions that make up this year’s list. Congratulations are in order for all of the Readers’ Choice Top 50 2024 winners! Above: Van wrapped with General Formulations GF 830 AutoMark with DRIFT ..read more

By Cassandra Balentine The January issue of Digital Output highlights trends in UV roll-to-roll (R2R) printing in the wide format space. Here we present a round up of the latest from key vendors. These printers are ideal for creating applications like wallcoverings, murals, banners, commercial art, decals, and vehicle wraps. The Canon USA, Inc. Colorado printers with UVgel inks open up boundless creative opportunities for print service providers (PSPs) when it comes to producing stunning graphics. With the introduction of the newest Colorado M-series, equipped with UVgel white ink, users can p ..read more

By Digital Output Staff Vehicle wraps are used in a number of industries for two reasons—marketing and customization. One segment benefiting from vehicle wraps is the automotive aftermarket. This category generally favors color change films over printed graphics. “Color change films provide a cost-effective alternative to paint, allowing owners to change the appearance of their vehicles without the need for repainting. They are available in a range of colors, textures, and finishes, making them highly versatile,” explains Ryan Allen, regional technical specialist, North America, Avery Denniso ..read more

By Cassandra Balentine Roll-to-roll (R2R) equipment is well suited to a range of applications. However, print service providers (PSPs) have options when it comes to technology. This article looks specifically at the current and future role of UV R2R wide format printers. UV offers time savings due to the fast curing of the ink and elimination of degassing. It also offers durability. “The primary applications we see continue to be signage and graphics for point of purchase (POP) displays, event signage, exhibit graphics, window clings, decals, labels, vehicle wraps, day/night graphics, and flo ..read more

By Melissa Donovan Direct printing on pre-manufactured objects continues to entice manufacturers from all verticals. Quick turnarounds, small runs, and personalization—which are strengths of digital printing—are trends seen on everything from water bottles to hand towels. With the holiday season upon us, toys including games/puzzles, action figures, cars/trucks, building blocks, and dolls is one vertical worth spotlighting in relation to digital printing. Many manufacturers in this space recently upped their game by partnering with well-known brands to offer licensed products with the likeness ..read more

By Cassandra Balentine In the roll-to-roll (R2R) wide format space, latex/resin- and eco-solvent-based devices are popular options. The technology as well as its potential uses continue to advance. Here, we catch up on the latest and greatest product evolutions in this segment. Wide format R2R latex/resin and eco-solvent-based devices excel when it comes to banners and other traditional print shop signage, including vehicle wraps, stickers, and heat transfer vinyl apparel, says Michael Litardo, marketing manager, Mutoh America, Inc. Specific to resin-based printers, David Lopez, product manag ..read more