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FEATURES [ 17] Overcoming Obstacles OTO Printing to Handled Items [ 23] Trailblazing Technology Surface Printing for Furniture

COLUMNS Editor's Letter [Digital Decorative Printing] ...........................................4 Showtime [Building Corrugated CorrExpo Preview] ............................ 6 Spotlight [Well-Crafted Technology] ..................................................... 9 Target Chart [Strong Builds 3D Metal Printing] ................................. 10 AM [Surface Finishing] .......................................................................... 12 Corrugated [ Data and Reporting] ....................................................... 15 Advertiser Index ..................................................................................22 Companies Mentioned......................................................................22

ON THE COVER Wall claddings, furniture parts, and fiooring produced with Hyrn­ men digital printing technology. See page 23

industrialprtntmagazine.com

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 3

.RIAL 9PRINT

IN DUSTRIALPRI NTMAGAZINE.COM Volume 12, Number 5

EDrTIIR'S LETTER

DIGITAL DECORATIVE PRINTING The possibilities are endless when it comes to digital decorative print­ ing. While flooring manufacturers experienced early success with digital printing, other segments of decor are slowly beginning to understand the advantage of the technology.

Our cover story, Trailblazing Technology, looks at how furniture manu­

facturers recognize the flexibility and personalization possibilities digital presents. As individualized requests and bespoke designs increase, it's no surprise that digital printers-whether single- or multi-pass-are lev­ eraged to decorate surfaces that go on to be used in bar tops, chairs, tables, and more.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Thomas Tetreault 978-921-7850 EDITOR Melissa Donovan mdonovan@rockportpubs.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Cassandra Balentine cbalentine@rockportpubs.com ART DIRECTOR Sarah M. White swhite@rockportpubs.com WEB EDITOR Melissa Mueller CONTRIBUTORS Pete Basiliere, Marco Boer, Olivia Cahoon, Kemal Carr, Maria Conrado, Melinda Tetreault ADVERTISING SALES

Switching to the direct to object portion of this edition, Overcoming Ob­

stacles addresses printing directly to items with handles-from coffee mugs to water bottles and buckets. These are increasingly popular as

brand owners look to personalize using a cost-efficient, quality method.

Data and Reporting discusses analytical tools found in workflow solu­

tions designed for corrugated printers and box plants implementing

PUBLISHER Thomas Tetreault 300 Newburyport Turnpike, Ste. 11 Rowley, Massachusetts 01969 Ph 978-921-7850 x110 • Fx 978-921-7870 edit@rockportpubs.com SALES Amanda Doyon Ph 978-921-7850 x170 • Fx 978-921-7870 adoyon@rockportpubs.com

digital options. Taking advantage of these features leads to an efficient production floor.

TAPPI recognizes the importance of digital print technology for corru­ gated at its annual gatherings. This year CorrExpo takes place in Savan­

ROCKPORT

CusToM PuBLISHING

nah, GA from October 20 to 22. Learn what to expect in a preview of the event on page 6.

This issue also includes a spotlight on a kitchen manufacturer leverag­

CORPORATE & PUBLISHING OFFICE 300 Newburyport Turnpike, Ste. 11 Rowley, Massachusetts 01969

ing single-pass digital printing in house, an article on post-processing

ROCKPORT CUSTOM PUBLISHING, LLC

for three-dimensional (3D) printing, and a chart listing 3D metal printers.

Cheers

Melissa Donovan, Editor

CHAIRMAN Jeffrey Jensen PRESIDENT & CEO Thomas Tetreault CONTROLLER Missy Tyler Industrial Print magazine is published by Rockport Custom Publishing, LLC. Send change of address forms to 300 NewburyportTurnpike, Ste. 11, Rowley, MA 07 969. © Rockport Custom Publishing, LLC 2025. Reproduction by any means of the whole or part of Industrial Print magazine without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Views expressed in the editorial pages do not imply our endorsement.

Subscription Rates: U.S. $41.65 per year, seven issues; single copies: $5.95, Cana­ da and Mexico: $52.22 (U.S.D.), Other international subscriptions: $71.05 (U.S.D.) Vendors: We welcome your product news. Include prices, slides, photos, and digital files with your press release. Please forward product samples and media kits to Reviews Editor, Industrial Print magazine 300 Newburyport Turnpike, Ste. 11, Rowley, MA 01969. We cannot be responsible for unsolicited product samples.

4 [lndustfia/ Print Magazine J October 2025

industrialprintmagazine.com

#5

BUILDING CORRUGATED CorrExpo 2025 Preview

by Industrial Print Magazine Staff

From October 20 to 22, 2025 members of the corrugated packaging industry convene in Savannah, GA at the Savannah Convention Center for CorrExpo 2025.

Spread throughout three days, presentations, a busy show floor, and after-hours networking opportunities are available to attendees.

Hosted by TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and converting industries, CorrExpo is known for its timely discussions on what’s new in corrugated. To that extent, it holds the What’s New Program on Tuesday and Wednesday during the event. Participating exhibitors step into the limelight for seven minute power presentations focused on their latest innovations.

1 Of note, AI in Corrugated from Michael Ochi of Amtech Software, Digitally Transform Corrugated Packaging Production with Kerry Sanders from EFI, Infrared Drying for Corrugators with Jack Karas from Oxytech Systems Inc., and Putting the Pieces Together: Streamlining Corrugated Workflows with HP One Package with Kristen Minlschmidt from HP Inc.

On the Floor Over 130 exhibitors are slated to showcase their products and services in the convention hall in GA. Those vendors part of the industrial printing space share their plans for the show here.

A.G. Stacker, booth 407, encourages attendees to learn about the eBREAK, eZFa, and eXT systems with its DUO digital twin technology. Explore digital shadow tech on the eXT and get hands on with collaborative tools like GO AG and SIMCORRA—built to boost insight, communication, and

6 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

structure on your production floor. From bundle breakers to load formers, A.G. delivers future-focused innovation across the line. INFO# 155 Advantive, booth 539, demonstrates Kiwiplan, its integrated ERP and MES solution, which empowers sheet and box plants to display and specialty packaging manufacturers with digital capabilities. Key features include maximizing throughput and daily square footage with 24/7 automated tracking and scheduling, minimizing delays and increasing efficiency by integrating shipping and production planning, improving on-time delivery and reducing waste and work in progress with advanced automation, and maximizing labor efficiencies and visibility with streamlined and standardized enterprise-wide processes. INFO# 156 1. Baumer hhs, booth 719, invites attendees to see the latest in gluing and glue verification technology with its CorrBox EVO. 2. Kongsberg demonstrates digital cutting solutions for corrugated converters in booth 727.

industrialprintmagazine.com

digital printers, they deliver crisp detail long-lasting and durability for cor­ rugated board and display media; IN­ Xhrc natural-based inks, these inks have replaced petrochemical-based ingredients with renewable raw ma­ terials inks for a high-performance, sustainable solution that reduces your carbon footprint; and INXJet AC9087 Primer, which ensures sharper images and consistent aqueous production to unlock greater flexibility across corru­ gated applications. INFO# 165 Kento Digital Printing, booth 725, shares its new, 66-inch inline rotary die cutter option, developed to meet North American market standards. Kento Hy­ brid is a modular and scalable solution designed exclusively for corrugated, it integrates up to three flexographic units, single-pass digital inkjet, and an inline rotary die cutter into one seam­ less line. Don't miss the opportunity to

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see how hybrid printing bridges the gap between analog and digital, transform­ ing your plant's efficiency and competi­ tiveness, opening the door to new cli­ ents and markets. INFO# 166 Kongsberg Precision Cutting Sys­ tems (PCS), booth 727, highlights how its digital cutting solutions for corrugat­ ed converters, including its Kongsberg Ultimate, help solve everyday business challenges. It focuses on increasing productivity with Kongsberg PCS ad­ vanced automation options including the Smart Media Handler and Feeder & Stacker, which can be integrated with its cutting systems and tailored for differing business needs. INFO# 167 Signode, booth 419, invites attend­ ees to discover how it produces packag­ ing solutions for the corrugated indus­ try. Providing strapping and wrapping equipment as well as strap and stretch film, join the team in the booth to dis­ cuss your packaging challenges and how Signode can find a unique solu­ tion. INFO# 168 SUN Automation Group, booth 101, showcases innovations that drive efficiency, precision, and performance in corrugated converting. Attendees explore solutions such as the SUN625HD Rotary Die Cutter, celebrated for its 3. BAH MULLER, booth 121, presents a fully automated stack-to-stack packaging solution that tackles labor shortages and rising quality demands. 4. INX pro­ motes products that help corrugated printers achieve results today in booth 706.

8 [lndustfia/ Print Magazine J October 2025

heavy-duty design, ac­ curacy, and reliability in high-volume production.

SUN also presents Helios, its OEM-agnostic IloT solution built by experts to provide real-time ma­ chine insights that reduce downtime, optimize pro­ ductivity, and cut waste. In addition, SUN is proud to feature leading solutions from its global partners­ Kolbus, LMC, PARA, and Versor expand­ ing capabilities in short-run boxmaking, finishing, material handling, and sheet feeding. INFO# 169 Valeo Melton, booth 620, presents the latest innovations in next-gen­ eration packaging technology. The company offers cold glue systems for flexo-folder-gluers, folder-gluers, and specialty folder-gluers, it also offers a range of hot melt dispensing equip­ ment purpose-built for applications such as semi-automatic general and universal tapers. Hot melt systems can be tailored to support custom box re­ quirements and hot/cold assist applica­ tions. INFO# 170 WSA USA, booth 324, brings a full team to the show and would love to talk about its facility automation capabili­ ties and advancements with attendees.

Are you looking to move the needle in your factory automation capabilities and advancements? Contact WSA to­ day to start the conversation around your needs and the company's process to see how it can be a great partner to you as well. INFO# 171

Make Plans TAPPI expects more than 1,500 cor­ rugated industry professionals to join CorrExpo 2025.

Visit tappi.org to learn more and make your plans for attending. Indus­ trial Print magazine is a proud media sponsor of the event. /PM

industrialprintmagazine.com

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October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 11

AM

SURFACE FINISHING Post-Processing Techniques for 3D Printed Parts

by Cassandra Balentine

Many three-dimensional (3D) printed objects require post processing before they are considered complete. Surface finishing is often utilized for 3D printed products in aerospace, medical, and automotive industries that yield metal or polymer parts, these are able to be finished into smooth, polished pieces.

“To achieve the desired final finish for your printed parts, consider three main factors that are often ignored by manufacturers—how to post process the parts after the build, how to deal with the high surface roughness of the printed parts compared to machined or casted parts, and how to specify the surface requirements on the part print,” explains Andrew Garganese, marketing, 1 Bel Air Finishing Supply Corporation.

The type of post-processing finishing varies depending on the desired outcome or purpose of the part. “Will it be a visual prototype? Is it a part that is not visible but needs to meet certain criteria for mechanical properties? Is it a functional end use product?” asks Mike Schorr, GM, DyeMansion North America.

Each industry has different needs and Schorr points out that for prototyping there usually won’t be much attention paid to the surface finish beyond standard depowdering, mechanical surfacing, and possible color. “When you move towards end use consumer-grade products, then generally a specific color is needed and the requirements for the surface change.”

Schorr feels that it’s at this point when surfaces become more critical and appealing to the end user.

Varying Techniques Post processing is an essential step to improve the appearance and performance of printed parts. It can remove excess material, smooth out rough surfaces, and enhance the mechanical properties of the parts.

12 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

Garganese stresses that post-processing methods vary depending on the part type and geometry, so you need to “plan ahead and choose the most suitable method for your design.”

A variety of post-processing surface finishing techniques are utilized today, including bead blasting, shot peening, media tumbling, polishing, sanding, heat treatments, plate treatments, and vapor smoothing.

Bead Blasting To access challenging-to-reach areas, a blog post by Snapmaker US, Comprehensive Guide to 3D Printed Parts Surface Finishing, says bead blasting is the ideal solution. “Through this procedure, you can utilize a spray gun to shoot finely reground thermoplastics onto the surface in order to remove any imperfections and produce a smooth finish—much like sanding does but far quicker. Not only will it improve your end product’s aesthetic appearance with its matte finish, but it also acts as an efficient means of prepping materials before adding — Andrew Garganese, marketing, Bel Air Finishing Supply Corporation coating so that they adhere correctly.”

…plan ahead and choose the most suitable method for your design.

industrialprintmagazine.com

In order to avoid dents in the material, Snapmaker suggests using bead blasting and starting out on a low pressure setting and slowly increasing if required. "Too high of a pressure or lingering on one area for too long can obliterate ample amounts of the part you are working with:' Shot Peening

Shot peening works similar to bead blast­ ing, yet it has an alternate purpose. Snap­ maker's blog says that instead of elimi­ nating any undesirable imperfections from the surface, this technique primarily serves to enhance the part's strength and durability. With shot peening, high-pres­ sure air blasts minuscule metal or plastic beads at the object's exterior in much the same way as with bead blasting. These particles then make shallow pits on its face under, in which compression strains form when they overlap. Therefore, shot peening increases the component's abil­ ity to resist wear and tear while also in­ creasing longevity.

"The compressive stress, which re­ duces the size of an object, replaces ten­ sion in the item that would otherwise ex­ pand its length. The compression makes the surface more resilient and better able to defend itself against fatigue, wear 1. & 3. DyeMansion offers a fully modular print-to­ product workflow, which includes cleaning, media blasting, vapor smoothing, and dyeing technology.

2. MFI offers many types of tumbling equipment for use in medical, aerospace, automotive, dental, and defense industries.

industrialprtntmagazine.com

and tear, cracking, and cavitation ero­ sion," shares the Snapmaker blog.

Mechanical Surfacing

Mechanical surfacing is a media blast­ ing or shot peening process, where the parts are generally placed in a process chamber that tumbles the parts while exposing them to blasting media. "The blasting media uniformly smoothes the surface without removing critical ge­ ometries or dimensions. The result is a smooth, yet matte surface with pleasing haptics," explains Schorr.

Media Tumbling

Tumbling works across all manufactur­ ing industries, says Cole Mathisen, sales and marketing manager, Mass Finish­ ing, Inc. (MFI). There are many types of tumbling equipment including vibratory, centrifugal disc, drag or spindle, and centrifugal barrel.

MFI's centrifugal barrel tumbling ma­ chines use four barrels or work chambers that are mounted on a drum and rotate in a planetary or ferris wheel like pattern.

"This one-to-one barrel to turret ratio cre­ ates a wave inside the barrel. The parts are tumbled with various types of media including ceramic and plastic shapes that have abrasive material baked in. The rub­ bing of media against the parts creates a perfect isotropic-even in all directions­ finish. This is superior to sanding or buff­ ing that can leave directional patterns on parts," says Mathisen.

MFI's HZ Series of nine sizes of cen­ trifugal barrel tumblers are used in medi­ cal, aerospace, automotive, dental, and defense industries along with many oth­ ers including jewelry. "Depending on the size and geometry of the part, we have smaller and larger machines and differ­ ent media sizes to affect different part features," notes Mathisen.

With rough parts, MFI typically sug­ gests a highly abrasive ceramic media for 45 to 90 minutes to smooth out the rough surface and get the finish down to around 45 microinch Ra. From there it uses a finer abrasive type media for 30 to 60 minutes to blend and smooth the surface further to a 15 to 25 micro­ inch Ra. Then it will use a polishing me­ dia like porcelain or MFI's treated corn cob to get the parts to a mirror or sub 8 Ra finish.

Sanding

In a Formlabs article, Guide to Post­

Processing and Finishing SLA Resin 3D Prints, the company says sand­

ing 3D printed parts is often the best method for smoothing edges, removing blemishes, and getting rid of any left­ over support marks.

"Hand sanding is most effective on simple shapes, but it can be hard or nearly impossible to sand complex ob­ jects with deep crevices and internal supports. Media blasting or polishing might be more effective solutions in these cases," notes the post.

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 13

"Medical industries generally will tum towards vapor smoothing as a key asset to enable a sealed, washable, and more biocompatible surface," says Schorr.

Aerospace and other defense custom­ ers may use vapor smoothing to enable watertight and sealed parts that can withstand the elements. "Mechanical surfacing on the other hand creates a finish that's similar to some traditionally finished parts," notes Schorr.

Important Step

Heat Treatments

3D printed objects may also undergo one of several various types of heat treatments as part of the finishing pro­ cess. Surface Treatment Experts offers the Guide to Surface Finishing for 3D Printed Parts on its website, which de­ tails how heat treatment works.

The article points out that heat treat­ ments strengthen a material by reduc­ ing tensile pressure. It evens out the high and low stress areas of an object, helping to prevent failures. You might also use heat treatment to increase den­ sity or help form the item into the final desired shape.

Plating

Electroplating transfers metal atoms from one metal to another when they are in a solution and have electricity

COMPANIES MENTIONED INFO# Company 145 146 147 148 149 150

Bel Air Finishing Supply Corporation

pass through them. When you choose this method for coating 3D printed ob­ jects, you will enjoy multiple advantages compared to other means of finishing the project, offers Surface Treatment Experts' blog post.

Vapor Smoothing

Schorr explains that vapor smooth­ ing uses controlled vapor exposure to smooth outer layers of 3D printed parts by slightly melting the surface, closing pores, and reducing rough­ ness. Parts that go through a vapor smoothing process usually need to be suspended in a process basket or chamber so that the entire part can be exposed to the vapor and to ensure an even, homogeneous surface finish. The result is a fully sealed part that has a smooth, shiny surface.

P� See page 22 for more information.

Website

belairfmishing.com

DveMansion Inc.

dvemansion.com

Formlabs

formlabs.com

Mass Finishing, Inc.

massfm.com

Snapmaker US

us.snapmaker.com

Surface Treatment Experts

sharrettsolatina.com

14 [lndustfia/ Print Magazine J October 2025

Post processing is an important step in 3D printing, as it affects the function and appearance of the printed parts, stresses Garganese.

Different post-processing methods suit various parts, depending on their shape, size, material, and surface re­ quirements. Before choosing a post­ processing method, one should consider the following factors-the function and aesthetic needs of the part; the compati­ bility of the post-processing method with the existing manufacturing systems; the scalability of the post-processing meth­ od with the production volume and part diversity; and the surface characteristics of the part, both exterior and interior; and how they vary with the printer tech­ nology and build parameters.

Some common mistakes to avoid when designing 3D printed parts are re­ placing an existing part with a 3D print­ ed part without considering the surface limitations and functionality of the new part; designing 3D printed parts that have complex or inaccessible surfaces that are hard to post process; or using a printer technology that does not match the surface requirements of the part.

Final Step Many 3D printed objects benefit from post processing, especially in instances that go beyond prototyping and require polished final products. The technique used varies based on the part's shape, size, material, and surface requirements. /PM

industrialprintmagazine.com

CORRUGATED

DATA AND REPORTING Driving Efficient Production Floors

by Melissa Donovan

Corrugated printers and box plants that utilize digital printing in house benefit from the software that comes with it, particularly the data analytics and re­ porting pulled on a daily basis. Taking advantage of this information can help grow a business and maintain an effi­ cient production floor.

Technology in Use There are many benefits to using automa­ tion software in digital corrugated board printing environments. One of which is the various data and reporting features that many workflows come equipped with, or if not built into the program, can integrate with a third-party solution.

Corrugated sheet plants and box plants rely on data and reporting features found in their current software solutions to drive smarter and faster decision mak­ ing on the plant floor, according to Craig Tait, chief product officer, eProductivity Software (ePS).

"They're using real-time production data to monitor quality, tools also enable box plants and corrugated printers to run track waste, optimize ink consumption, and ensure jobs run smarter and faster-in addition to becoming more profitable.

Modern print software with data and reporting features allow on time and within spec. Many plants also integrate converting data with upstream scheduling and ERP systems to align con- users to track jobs in real time, monitor ink and material usage, verting production with �-------,,-------� maintain consistent qual­ order management and ity, schedule smarter, and capacity planning. This measure performance, helps teams proactively lists Crawford.

"Business owners can identify bottlenecks, ad­ just to last-minute chang­ clearly see how printers and staff perform and es, and improve overall equipment effectiveness," where improvements can explains Tait.

1. ePS plays a critical role in en­ Matt Crawford, presi­ - Matt Crawford, president/CEO, Onyx Graphics, Inc. suring the entire production work­ dent/CEO, Onyx Graph­ flow-from order entry to ship­ ping-runs efficiently. ics, Inc., says reporting ,,

Data helps you understand which jobs are profitable, which machines are underperforming, and where to focus improvements.

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October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 15

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be made. Having data from past jobs makes it easier to plan production days and avoid last-minute delays," contin­ ues Crawford.

Benefits to Consider Integrated workflows reduce costs and increase uptime. The tools integrated throughout the system offer these two major advantages and more depending on the part of the process they are in­ volved with. Data and reporting features offer significant benefits.

Automation features in software offer real-world business advantages. ''Auto­ mation means less time setting up files, more time printing, and fewer operator mistakes," says Crawford.

Utilizing data and reporting features is essential to making better decisions about print operations. "Data helps you 2. ePS tools empower converters to reduce costs, improve uptime, and deliver quality output at speed and scale with data and analytics.

16 [lndustfia/ Print MagazineJ October 2025

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understand which jobs are profitable, which machines are underperforming, and where to focus improvements," shares Crawford.

"Data and reporting features offer better visibility across the production process, enabling faster troubleshoot­ ing and reducing downtime. They help identify trends in converting defects, en­ able consistent repeatability and quality control, and provide actionable insights for ongoing improvement. From a busi­ ness perspective, they support more accurate job costing, drive down waste, and enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring print consistency and delivery performance," explains Tait.

Adoption Push While most production facilities have implemented software solutions that inelude data and reporting features, many are not using them to full capacity. Accelerating adoption in this space is a must.

"The reality is that many plants still operate in silos with a patchwork of legacy systems.

If data and reporting tools can work with what's already in place and deliver immediate insights without a steep learn­ ing curve, adoption increases dramatically," admits Tait.

Vendors as well as industry leaders need to enhance soft­ ware technology with a focus on interoperability, ease of inte­ gration, and user-friendly dash­ boards, lists Tait.

Crawford agrees. To help more companies take advan­ tage of software solutions like these, systems need to be de­ signed to easily connect to other systems, be simple to use, and work well with hardware. "Clean, easy­ to-use dashboards help teams see what matters most without needing technical training and when software is designed to work with printers, finishers, and cutters right out of the box, adoption is faster and smoother."

Education is also important. This in­ cludes success stories that "showcase tangible return on investment (ROI) from automation and reporting, which can help justify investment internally," acknowledges Tait.

Showing ROI is how shops will truly understand the benefits, and then adopt the software. "Many shops save money and increase output by reducing errors and waste-real numbers help show the value," says Crawford.

Insightful Operation Data and reporting features in work­ flow software are useful tools that provide corrugated printers and box plants with insight into their produc­ tion operations. Using the information that comes from these features al­ lows shops to run more efficiently and achieve a faster ROI. /PM

industrialprintmagazine.com

1 LaChance, digital product manager, Inkcups, says it remains a relatively niche segment within the broader DTO landscape. “The key for many print businesses is flexibility,” continues LaChance.

Niche Segments Dedicated DTO printers as well as certain flatbed configurations are able to handle cylindrical DTO printing. Depending on coverage needs—full or single-sided decoration—for printing to products with handles, a dedicated solution may be necessary.

Segmentation in DTO is driven by demand for specialized, high-margin applications like custom drinkware, promotional items, and more.

Perrelli points out that print providers have options. “Some of the DTO printers we offer provide a range of versatility capable of printing on everything from cylindrical cosmetic packaging and shot 1. Apex, Desco, and Goldstar America—all of which

fall under The Apex Group—offer a variety of custommade printing, decorating, marking, handling, and automation equipment for over 30 different market segments including medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, sporting good, household, and industrial.

18 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

glasses to larger items like beer growlers.

Others, like our dedicated handled object printer, were designed to serve a market segment that had previously been overlooked until we launched the machine last year.”

Before the release of dedicated solutions like IDS’ RevHDL, companies looking to UV print on handled objects typically relied on flatbed printers, which only allowed for a small print area—something many users found limiting. “The introduction of the RevHDL expands the printable area around the mug, unlocking creative possibilities that weren’t achievable before,” explains Perrelli.

“In our experience, most customers look to increase their versatility at the same time as prioritizing speed and lower volume orders. This is where modularity comes into its own with flexible, modular solutions,” notes LaChance.

James Bullington, CTO, LSINC Corporation, points out that while printing to handled items can be niche, the market is not yet oversaturated. “There are specific items that require unique solutions whether it be based on size, material, or substrate type.”

LSINC’s PeriH is a functional addition to its DTO offering that directly addresses the requests of numerous clients for the ability to digitally print directly to an object with handles. “Its ability to print on multiple types of materials makes it a versatile addition to the promotional product market,” shares Bullington.

Flatbed printers like the Mimaki USA, Inc. UJF Series print to handled items, but with limitations. “Because of the geometry, most handled objects can only be printed on one side at a time unless custom fixtures or pre/post handling are used. That said, Mimaki’s long distance (LD) print profiles are a significant advantage—allowing clean printing on surfaces with up to 4.5 millimeters of variation, which helps maintain quality even when printing near edges or contours,” says Hugo Gonzalez, senior IP segment specialist, Mimaki USA. While handled items are popular, Gonzalez considers specifically built printers niche solutions. “In most cases, there are existing technologies that handle this need well. For example, UV direct to film (DTF) printers like the UJV300DTF-75 are ideal for curved or handled objects, applying detailed graphics with full wraparound coverage—something flatbeds and cylindrical attachments typically can’t accommodate.”

The custom tooling, drop table, and High Throw technology on Inkcups’ X5-T High Throw flatbed printer enables users to expand their application range without the need to invest in a new printer for every object type. “The X5-T can accommodate a variety of objects, including items with handles, and was developed in response to customer demand. This enables print providers to meet demand for personalization without taking up additional floor space or budget for highly specialized equipment,” adds LaChance.

William J. White, SVP, global sales and marketing, Apex Machine Company & Desco Machine Company LLC, says Apex designs custom machines for individual

industrialprintmagazine.com

customers' needs. While many have the same base and may share a lot of design commonality, White says it designs its sys­ tems to provide a turnkey solution for the unique requirement of that project. "Many times we have had customers come to us because an 'off the shelf ' solution doesn't accommodate their needs when needing to run parts with handles."

O&PM Europa BV's DTO solution can print to items with or without handles.

Riley feels that if anything, DTO print­ ers are becoming less segmented and more capable. "True multifunction is a high bar when you talk about DTO be­ cause there are so many different media possibilities. It is impossible to do every­ thing well."

Both DPI's Catalyst Nanos and Cata­ lyst Aventra printers print directly to items with handles, however they are subject to

industrialprtntmagazine.com

the physical limitations of the machine.

"That is, the handle cannot pass into the linear plane of the printhead," says Riley.

The Catalyst Nanos printer has flat­ bed, rotary, UV DTF, and roll printing capability in the same small footprint, ac­ complishing what once required three or four separate machines.

Gonzalez feels that segmentation in this space is in response to increased demand for specialized output. "When there's a strong market like with custom tumblers or promotional drinkware, it makes sense for dedicated systems to ex­ ist. But the core of the industry still leans toward flexible, multi-application equip­ ment. Printers that can adapt to multiple object types, materials, and workflows re­ main the most attractive option for shops that need to maximize return on invest­ ment (ROI) and floor space."

Longer Runs A big advantage of DTO printing is that it makes it possible to print a variety of vol­ ume sizes from print runs of one to 500 without reducing cost effectiveness. '�d­ ditionally, the ability to print a single item cost effectively means that prior to com­ pleting a job of 200 the print provider can print a test without significant cost or time impact. This is especially beneficial given the variable nature of personalized print," says LaChance.

Bullington points out that in today's web-driven marketplace, order sizes con­ tinue to shrink, meaning DTO equipment must be flexible via its tooling and change­ over. "Doing so aggregates the quantities of numerous items with only the incre­ mental tooling cost for each item:' Dursun Acun, sales director, O&PM Europa, believes that DTO systems will

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 19

2 2. & 4. Included in Inkcups’ portfolio are the Helix range of cylindrical inkjet printers and UV inkjet flatbed printers including the X5-T High Throw model. 3. The DPI Laboratory Catalyst Nanos and Catalyst Aventra flatbed printers are capable of flatbed and rotary printing, and the Nanos adds roll-based printing in a smaller footprint.

3

20 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

not only replace labels or silkscreen systems, but that the whole logistics around the products is more efficient. “The breakeven strongly depends on a total business case.”

White suggests that many times the breakeven point is much lower than anticipated. “Especially since the pandemic, many customers have lost faith in outsourcing and contract print houses have been extremely backordered thus our customers are looking to bring the printing in house. There are also many internal factors like the ability to avoid handling products more than once and being able to provide ‘rush’ jobs versus having to wait on the print houses.”

As with all print technologies, Riley says the longer the runs, the more cost effective the machines become on a perjob basis, as a function of turnover time, prepress, and retooling or adjustments required between jobs. “While machine cost, ink cost, maintenance, and uptime are, of course, big factors in profitability— time is an equally large consideration.”

Handled items can follow the same breakeven path through flexibility. “A quantity is difficult to assess. The PeriH’s flexibility supports items as small as a tea cup to as large as a 40oz travel tumbler. The margins on the latter are considerably different than that of a plastic camping cup,” offers Bullington.

Gonzalez feels that handled items can be quite efficient to print even on a flatbed, when set up properly. “Using a jig-based workflow, it’s possible to print 20 coffee mugs at a time. On a printer like the UJF-7151 Plus II, using an LD profile, you can decorate about half the exposed side of each mug in one pass.

Depending on resolution, the entire jig takes about five to eight minutes per side, offering excellent throughput without the need for a dedicated machine.”

Perrelli finds it difficult to quantify a breakeven point as customers leverage the equipment for different purposes.

“For example, we have one customer

industrialprintmagazine.com

that uses the RevHDL as a means to move the drinkware product. Without the customization on handled prospects, they know their customers will seek out other brands who do offer it. On the op­ posite end of that spectrum, we have customers who charge a premium to provide one-up custom drinkware with high-quality prints. The breakeven point for a customer like that would happen much sooner, but it doesn't make the other sales model less valuable."

Because not all decorators charge a premium for the decoration, but in some cases as a means to move product, Per­ relli stresses that whether or not a item has a handle still makes the breakeven hard to quantify. "For the customers that do charge a premium for the decoration, I think the same ROI percentage applies to handled tumblers that many custom­ ers see on their non-handled, powder coated tumbler. There is a much higher inherent value of a decorated, powder coated tumbler or travel mug when com­ pared to a pint glass or ceramic mug," suggests Perrelli.

Ink Considerations Whether or not an item has a handle, dif­ ferent print surfaces have different surface energy, which can make materials more or less ink receptive. "We use dyne level as a general gauge and recommend differ­ ent pretreatments based upon the media type. That said-some, but not all UV inks are DTF compatible. UV DTF provides an alternative to direct print that can extend the capabilities of the printer and facilitate decoration of handled items;' offers Riley.

COM PAN IES MENTION ED INFO# Company

135 136 137 138 139 140 141

The key considerations for ink selection often lie more in the preparation steps and processes required to achieve dishwashable results. "While the ink certainly plays a role, the pretreatment process can vary significantly. For example, a powder coated travel mug requires a different approach than a ceramic mug prior to printing," notes Perrelli.

As with most digital print­ er applications the choice of ink is driven as much by the printhead choice and target substrates. "The need to ap­ ply each color plane sequentially as the media is moved 4 beneath the next color station requires proper matching of surface energy to avoid bleed and ensure adhe­ sion. This differs from helical and in­ terlaced printing where multiple colors could be applied in single or multiple passes," says Bullington.

When considering ink for DTO, it is important to factor in durability needs.

"Items like mugs need inks that resist abrasion and moisture. LH-100 UV ink is a good choice. It's highly resistant to solvents and scratching, making it a great option for rigid handled items.

That said, most UV prints are recom­ mended for handwashing. If dishwasher resistance is important, the LH-100 of the UJF Series machine and ELH-100 ink used in the UJV300DTF-75 will of­ fer some good performance under re­ peated exposure to heat and moisture,

W�Seepage22for moreinformation.

Website

Aoex Machine Comoanv & Desco Machine Co. LLC

descomachine.com

lnkcups

inkcups.com

The D Pl Laboratory

Innovative Digital Systems LSINC Corooration

Mimaki USA, Inc.

O&PM Europa BV

industrialprtntmagazine.com

doi-lab.com

ids-digital.com !sine.com

mimakiusa.com

oenpm-europa.com

but again, the official recommendation is handwashing," shares Gonzales.

DTO inkjet UV printers typically print with CMYK, white, and varnish. La­ Chance says there is no specific ink need­ ed for handled items as the same formu­ lations used in standard digital printing work perfectly fine for high throw applica­ tions. "It's worth noting here that there is no universal ink for all DTO applications and the requirements and considerations are dependent on the substrate."

O&PM Europa BV D2O devices use water-based inks.

Curing Considerations Similar to the ink used, whether or not a job requires pre- or post-curing tech­ nologies depend on the application, the substrate being decorated, and dura­ bility requirements. "Some substrates require additional help to achieve ex­ cellent adhesion, and this is where pre­ treatment comes in. Getting pretreat­ ment right demands understanding of the end application and knowledge of the substrate in order to pair the right technique with the right ink and tech­ nology, so it's advisable to work with an equipment manufacturer with expertise

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 21

in pretreatment across varied applica­ tions, inks, substrates, and printing meth­ ods," offers LaChance.

Riley points out that with UV printers, there is generally no need for post-cure techniques. "We do recommend differ­ ent types of primer or adhesion promot­ ers for materials with lower surface en­ ergy such as glass, polypropylene, and some metals. These pretreatments may be applied mechanically or jetted onto the surface, depending upon the primer and the printer technology."

Perrelli stresses that the need for pre- or post-curing depends on the prod­ uct. "For powder coated tumblers, a jet­ table primer that is applied inline on the printer is advised. For ceramic mugs, they must be flame treated offline before heading to the printer," shares Perrelli.

Apex & Desco Machine generally in­ cludes any necessary pre/post treating/ curing on the system itself.

OTO Options There are pros and cons to utilizing a dedicated DTO object printer versus a flatbed for printing to cylindrical ob­ jects with handles and vice versa.

"The main advantage of a dedicated printer is optimization, faster setup, and alignment for a specific product type, like drinkware or bottles. But the tradeoff is flexibility. These machines typically serve a single application, making them harder to justify unless you're operating in high volumes," summarizes Gonzales.

"By contrast, flatbeds and UV DTF solu­ tions offer more versatility across object shapes, sizes, and materials. For many

print providers-especially those in custom goods, signage, or promotional markets-investing in a flexible system provides a better long-term return and allows the shop to evolve with demand."

However, when the need is there, the biggest advantage of a dedicated DTO press for handled, cylindrical items is its ability to deliver full-color digital decoration including gradients, pho­ tos, and complex designs on a range of handled objects. "That applies to various colors-not limited by white substrates-and the ability to print on a range of materials-stainless steel, tritan, powder coat, ceramic, glass, etc.

The only real disadvantage applies to a small number of customers that want to use a singular printer to print on all their drinkware," adds Perrelli. /PM

Get more information from vendors appearing in this issuei Visit IPMagdirect.com.

With just a few clicks, order FREE information from dozens of companies covered in this issue.

AD INDEX

2

3D Systems

11

3dsystems.com/3d-printers/metal

3

Mutoh America, Inc.

27

mutoh.com

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

2

usa.canon.com/largeformat

4

Signs365

28

signs365.com

Innovative Digital Systems

19

ids-digital.com

correxpo.org

TAPPI

COMPANIES MENTIONED Company

INFO#

Company

INFO#

Company

INFO#

3D Systems

105

GEFERTEC

113

Onyx Graphics, Inc.

101

ADDiTEC

106

Hymmen GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau

131

Prima Additive by Sodick

119

Agfa

130

Hymmen GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau

152

Rapidia

120

Apex Machine Company & Desco Machine Co. LLC

135

lnkcups

137

Sciaky, Inc.

121

Bel Air Finishing Supply Corporation

145

Innovative Digital Systems

138

sharebot srl

122

Caracol

107

JEOL Ltd.

114

Snapmaker US

149

DMG MORI

108

LSINC Corporation

139

Surface Treatment Experts

150

DyeMansion Inc.

146

Mantle

115

The DPI Laboratory

136

EDS

110

Mass Finishing, Inc.

148

TRUMPF

123

Eplus3D

111

Meltio

116

UltiMaker

124

eProductivity Software

100

Mimaki USA, Inc.

140

Velo3D

125

Exaddon

109

Nikon

117

Xact Metal

126

Fabrisonic

112

Nikon SLM Solutions

118

XJet 3D

127

Formlabs

147

O&PM Europa BV

141

22 [ lndustfiaf Print Magazine J October 2025

industrialprintmagazine.com

t

Surface Printing for Furniture

by Melissa Donovan

he flooring market was an early adopter of digital printing technol­ ogy for surface decoration. Explor­ ing further into the decor segment, there are many benefits to using digi­ tal printing for decorative surfaces that go on to be used in pieces of furniture like bar tops or kitchen islands.

"As demand for shorter production runs and bold, bespoke designs increases, furni­ ture manufacturers explore new strategies

industrialprtntmagazine.com

for decorative surface printing. The indus­ try is witnessing a transformative shift from traditional gravure methods to digital inkjet printing, and manufacturers reap the benefits of unprecedented flexibility and the ability to create standout patterns with unmatched speed and efficiency," shares Marc Grain­ dourze, business manager industrial inks, Agfa NV. Above: Wood tabletop and fiooring printed digitally with Agfa printing technologies.

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine J 23

Accelerating Adoption Educating furniture manufacturers about the power of digital print is a commitment, but one many vendors in this space are willing to take.

Adoption is based on market trends, according Michael Hesse, head sales, Hymmen GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau. “If in the furniture industry unicolored surfaces dominate the market trend, other production technologies are more relevant. But as soon as the demand for other optics like wood or stone décor rises, digital printing comes into focus.”

“It always takes a while until a market adopts new technologies. Until now there are only niche producers for very special applications that benefit from the advantages of digital technology, but as soon as a market leader, e.g. in the kitchen industry, decides on digital printing this can become the trailblazer for this technology,” shares Hesse.

Graindourze says one way to accelerate the adoption of digital printing in furniture manufacturing is by partnering with technology providers. This can further help to lower adoption risks and unlock the full potential of digital printing in this sector.

Top Advantages Digital print presents many opportunities to create decorative designs for surfaces used in furniture.

It offers flexibility, fast setup times, and individualization, points out Hesse.

“Less décor repetition and faster design development cycles are helping producers be ahead of competition with digital printing. No matter which décor you want to print—everything from wood over stone to artificial designs can be realized and exactly reproduced again at any time,” says Hesse.

It’s not surprising that digital inkjet technology is growing in the décor

1

24 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

1. DLEplus by Hymmen created this structure embossed in register. 2. Both the bar top and flooring

were printed digitally with Agfa printing technologies.

industrialprintmagazine.com

2 market. According to Graindourze, “unlike analog printing, digital processes support instant design changes and just-in-time manufacturing, catering perfectly to the trend towards ultra-bespoke interiors for residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces.”

As more furniture manufacturers realize the total cost of ownership of digital compared to analog print methods like gravure, the adoption of digital printing for decorative surfaces will grow.

Graindourze points out that analog print methods like gravure can be very efficient for large runs, but the considerable setup costs make them prohibitively expensive for shorter, smaller jobs. Coupled with the cost of bespoke cylinders for each design, lengthy design changes, and warehousing requirements for print masters, conventional analog methods prove unviable for many businesses.

“In contrast, digital printing offers highly efficient production even at small scale or variable batch lengths.

With digital, every print can be unique, transition times between jobs are minimal, and customization becomes

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more economically accessible. More efficient printing means manufacturers can reduce ink consumption, material usage, and lower energy bills, supporting enhanced sustainability,” notes Graindourze.

Beyond practical benefits like lower energy bills and reduced material usage, digital printing opens up endless possibilities on a creative level.

“Digital printing unlocks true creative freedom, as new patterns or textures can be implemented without new hardware or major investments, requiring only a print file to operate. Modern print engines and specialist ink sets empower manufacturers to print directly onto a staggering array of substrates, creating high-quality prints on everything from wood panels to laminated décor paper. This flexibility enables companies to deliver intricate detailing such as natural woodgrains and bespoke graphics directly onto furniture parts, eliminating the long lead times and minimum order quantities associated with analog processes,” shares Graindourze.

A derivative of the print process is digital structure printing, where the ink

is built up or embossed to provide textures and other tangible elements. This is an interesting use of digital print in the furniture industry.

Digital Lacquer Embossing (DLE)

by Hymmen involves the creation of structures that are embossed in register to the décor of the surface. Hymmen’s patented technology achieves these results by printing a transparent liquid medium into a layer of structure lacquer using the Hymmen JUPITER Digital Printing Lines.

“Digital structuring supports surface performance. All features like hardness, bonding, scratch resistance, and chemical reliability of the core lacquer are remaining. Digital structuring offers even more design options for the furniture industry—structures on a unicolored surface are a highly interesting alternative to classic décor,” notes Hesse.

Hardware Notes With a variety of hardware configurations and ink technologies out there, the best for decorative surface printing of

October 2025 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] 25

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT Both Agfa and Hymmen offer digital printing technologies suitable for decorative surface printing.

Agfa stands at the forefront of digital innovation for decorative surfaces as a key ink supplier in single-pass printing on décor paper. Designed specifically for printing onto décor paper used in laminate floors, furniture, and wall panels, the company’s InterioJet multi-pass, water-based inkjet system supports consistent, high quality, and repeatable results at even the most demanding output requirements.

For direct to wood or edge band printing, Agfa’s UV-curable and LED UV inkjet inks, including the Altamira Design PID ink set, deliver industry-leading solutions. These inks minimize metamerism, maintain color constancy across varied lighting, and offer high indoor lightfastness, helping printers achieve superb color matching between panels and edge bands, which is critical for premium furniture aesthetics.

single plank line to handle the common production width of 1,400 millimeters (mm) up to large-scale production of 2,100 mm boards. With single-source supply by Hymmen, including intelligent handling systems for feeding and stacking of planks or boards, it is possible to realize complete production lines. The JUPITER JPT-C is capable of printing speeds anywhere from 25 to 50 meters per minute and equipped with Xaar sideshooter printhead technology with an optical resolution of more than 1,000 dpi by grayscale technology. It runs with UVcured acrylic inks.

Hymmen offers a series of different line models for the JUPITER JPT-C, from a

The JUPITER Digital Printing Lines are capable of Digital Lacquer Embossing (DLE), which enables the creation of structures embossed in register to the décor of the surface being printed. The process involves printing a transparent liquid medium into a layer of structure lacquer. By modifying some of the process steps required for the conventional DLE, Hymmen’s DLEplus leads to optimized haptic effects in the case of special structure designs.

furniture items is determined by whether the graphics look realistic and more importantly can handle wear and tear.

One thing to consider is whether a single- or multi-pass printer is effective. “The advantages of single- or multi-pass technologies depend on the needed capacity of the production line,” admits Hesse.

Certain patented technologies can work with either. Hymmen digital printing solutions for the furniture industry cover individual customers’ capacity needs and individual production processes. For example, Hymmen’s DLEplus is designed to work on its own

JUPITER JPT-C single-pass UV printers, but can also be combined with a multipass device.

Both single- and multi-pass technologies have respective advantages and disadvantages, agrees Graindourze, with the best one to use depending heavily on application requirements.

Choosing the right approach depends on desired throughput, investment capacity, and substrate compatibility.

“In particular, multi-pass systems like Agfa’s InterioJet provide flexible configurations for short to medium runs, with high print quality and efficiency, whereas single-pass systems excel at high throughput

C O M PA N I E S M E N T I O N E D

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INFO# Company

Website

130

Agfa

agfa.com

131

Hymmen GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau hymmen.com

26 [ Industrial Print Magazine ] October 2025

production. This makes them attractive for manufacturers seeking to replace or complement gravure lines in high-volume settings,” explains Graindourze.

In addition to whether to use a singleor multi-pass printer, the ink set chosen is important. Graindourze says it must be tailored for decorative applications to ensure compatibility and quality.

UV LED and water-based inks are two popular choices, though not just any standard CMYK ink will do, cautions Graindourze.

“Matching the realism of wood or stone, especially between edge bands and adjacent panels, requires precise control over ink formulation, color management, and substrate preparation.

Standard CMYK inks developed for the commercial and packaging sectors simply cannot deliver the necessary hues or meet the lightfastness requirements of a high-end decorative surface,” explains Graindourze.

Graindourze points out that in the furniture sector, specialized pigments are required—like a specific red pigment instead of the standard magenta pigment— to enable printers to match the vast range of natural wood tones while avoiding color distortions caused by metamerism.

New Heights Digital printing of decorative surfaces, particularly furniture, is in the early stages. Adopters of the technology enjoy the advantages of flexibility, fast setup times, and personalization.

“Digital printing is propelling the decorative surfaces sector toward a new era of personalization, sustainability, and design innovation. As print engines, ink formulations, and automation technologies continue to advance, digital printing will help further refine aesthetics and provide those who embrace it with a powerful competitive edge. Manufacturers that embrace digital printing today set the standard for quality and efficiency in the sector,” concludes Graindourze. IPM

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