For the first time in three years, the international print community recently reunited for Printing United Expo. SmartWork Media’s Big Picture, Screen Printing, and Signs of the Times magazines served as media partners at the comprehensive printing event, held Oct. 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Expo highlights included the 2022 Women in Print Awards, which celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of women in the wide format and screen printing industries, respectively. From large-format graphics and print signage to wrap installation and apparel decoration techniques, our editors explored the latest printing technologies and applications throughout the three-day affair. Flip through for 21 views from this year’s show floor.
Captions by Christina Green
Matt Richart and the team from Digital EFX Wraps (Louisville, Kentucky) hosted eight live Ford Bronco wrap demos in the Roland DGA booth using the manufacturer’s TrueVIS printer/cutter during the three-day show.
Epson’s structural booth concept for Seventy 5 café served up delicious coffee, espresso, bites — and graphics.
The pop-up gourmet coffee stand allowed visitors to check out Epson’s applications on everything from menus to mugs and t-shirts.
Following a press conference with Mimaki USA, LexJet and Miamki commemorated their new partnership with a photo opp in the wide- and grand-format distributor’s booth. As part of the announcement, LexJet will carry the full line of Mimaki printers — including two flagship models introduced in the 330 series: the JV330-130/-160 and CJV330-130/-160.
Mimaki USA and LexJet executives celebrated their new partnership with a sake barrel opening ceremony.
Hosted by Adrienne Palmer, Editor-in-Chief of Big Picture and Screen Printing magazines, the 2022 Women in Print Awards celebrated the extraordinary work of 12 industry leaders.
Pictured here are 2022 Women in Wide Format Award winners Jennifer Rennicke, Tami Napolitano, Stefanie Bevans, and Carla Johanns alongside Adrienne. Winners Abby Crow and Carmen Ruiz (not in attendance) were also lauded during the ceremony.
The 2022 Women in Screen Printing Award winners, hailing the inspiring feats of women in the screen printing industry: Alyson Collins, Alexa Cary, Amber Massey, and Megan Urban (shown here with Adrienne). Winners Linda Davis and Amy Baker (not in attendance) were also recognized during the high-energy event.
Created with Trotec materials, these artworks’ base-layer designs were crafted using the company’s fiber laser, while their remaining acrylic pieces were cut on a Speedy laser with CO2 laser source. The intricate details and contours are the result of vision registration technology, which detects and corrects errors in the cutting path.
Ultraflex Systems used a model vintage hot dog stand to show off its Signetics Magnetic Receptive Media, which facilitates simple on-site installation, and offers no-edge chipping, durability and cleanability without the need for lamination.
HP once again (as at the ISA Expo in May) displayed a highly sustainable booth design and offset its carbon footprint of 152 tonnes of CO2 emissions with Climate+ Gold Standard carbon credits as a result of its presence at Printing United.
All graphics were printed with fourth generation, water-based HP Latex inks or HP STITCH inks. HP Large Format prints are recyclable, returnable, or non-hazardous, and safe for disposal.
Large wheels in the HP booth were composed of used media cores, which are completely recyclable and will be repurposed for the HP Graphics Experience Center after the Printing United show. Beyond that, the walls and cabinets were made of wood or wood/plastic and have been reused for at least 56 shows since 2016, generating a far lower carbon footprint than one-use walls.
This demo in the ORAFOL booth showcased the application of ORAJET digital media. The vehicle wrap was designed by Glarb Wrapped (Oakland Park, FL) and printed by Luxe Auto Concepts (Shreveport, Louisiana).
Shown in the Canon booth, this vibrant comic-inspired wallcovering/3D-standoffs application was printed on the company’s Colorado 1650 with UVgel 460 inks and FLXFinish+ on Mactac Roodle 6 mil smooth vinyl with removable PSA.
In addition, Canon showed off this pattern designed for Fresh Artists’ Corporate Art Collection by Twenty2: Silly City’s “Toile de Philly.” The wallpaper incorporates hand-painted illustrations of the city’s Silly City Suite, architectural gems made by more than 50 of Philadelphia’s public-school children grades three through eight.
General Formulations’ in-booth demo featured the company’s new GF 830 AutoMark Cast Film printed with a Las Vegas Raiders design. Industry expert Preston Jordan, owner, Digital Precision (Atlanta) installed the material here.
Mactac showed off its latest applications and talked about its streak of recent acquisitions: a SoCal distribution center in March, Spinnaker Coating LLC in February and Duramark Products Inc. (formally Ritrama USA) in 2021.
Various finishes were highlighted in VEIKA’s DIMENSE booth. The technology creates unique embossing effects during the digital printing process, allowing the structure and motif to be matched or manipulated depending on the designer’s vision.
Visitors grabbed Big Picture Screen Printing, and Signs of the Times magazines
from the SmartWork Media booth, featuring a backdrop printed by Miratec Systems.
Textile printing company Kornit Digital’s eye-catching display offered inspiration and innovations in sustainable fashion production.
Attendees were greeted by the Las Vegas Convention Center’s signature neon signage at Printing United Expo 2022, which occupied the venue’s Central and North halls. Next year’s trade show is set to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, Oct. 18 to 20.
22 Snapshots From Printing United Expo 2022
For the first time in three years, the international print community recently reunited for Printing United Expo. SmartWork Media’s Big Picture, Screen Printing, and Signs of the Times magazines served as media partners at the comprehensive printing event, held Oct. 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Expo highlights included the 2022 Women in Print Awards, which celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of women in the wide format and screen printing industries, respectively. From large-format graphics and print signage to wrap installation and apparel decoration techniques, our editors explored the latest printing technologies and applications throughout the three-day affair. Flip through for 21 views from this year’s show floor.
Captions by Christina Green