BAPC Leader Spring 2021

SPRING 2021 — BAPC LEADER 20 to launch our AccurioJet digital colour UV inkjet sheetfed B2+ production press. Since the official commercial launch at drupa in 2016, it has become a natural bridge between offset and digital. Now the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 continues this driving force behind the trend of changeover from offset printing towards inkjet. Developments for the AccurioJet KM-1e include the ability to print on transparent, metallic and coloured media and improvements to the thin coated paper stability. There is no need to use digital stocks or expensive coatings. The AccurioJet KM-1 also benefits from Konica Minolta’s patented Dot Freeze Technology, which provides even better colour stability and consistency. The result is instantly dry, perfected prints. Digital embellishment will also continue to be a key growth driver in the production printing market and at the same time a profitable way for print service providers, commercial and in-house printers to set themselves apart from the competition. UV spot coating in defined areas can be used to enhance four-color digital and offset prints with exceptional 3D haptics. In order to benefit customers in a single-source partnership approach, we have strengthened our partnership with MGI Digital Technology (MGI) to expand the cooperation between our two companies. As a global technologyproviderwith a local service structure, we still see significant opportunities in the years ahead for digital printing with our toner and inkjet technology within commercial and industrial print markets. For the full article please go to bit.ly/km2021trends It is still hard to believe that less than twelve months ago few people in Europe had ever heard of Coronavirus, let alone imagine the disruption to lives and jobs it would cause. Whatever happens in the overall economy at large, the printing industry – digital in particular – will remain resilient and continue to play an important role in our everyday lives. Any crisis will accelerate trends that were already under way. They include the drive towards automation, online print purchasing and webshops, plus, of course, the unstoppable analogue to digital transition. Accelerated automation will also lead to a complete start-to-finish manufacturing process, as well as a demand for production devices that need fewer and less-skilled operators. There is no question that digital technology will continue to gain ground over the traditional litho territory. Commercial printers are being forced to expand their digital print service offerings as traditional offset / flexo volumes erode over time. Indeed, an article from IDC “Out-of-the-Box and about Box thinking: Industrial and Production Printing in the Aftermath of COVID-19” points to how the virus has created opportunities – labels and packaging, décor, signage and textiles among the sectors – in the industrial and production print space. There is thus no question that inkjet is the real growth for digital printing. Without a doubt, production inkjet will further continue to be recognised as a viable and advantageous solution for many high-end applications. This considerable market potential was behind the decision Konica Minolta’s Edoardo Cotichini, Senior Manager Professional Print and Hidetoshi Omo, Head of Centre of Competence KM-1 spotlight critical trends to plan for in 2021. Below are key highlights from their extended article. KM predicts critical print trend growth Konica Hidetoshi Omo, Head of Centre of Competence KM-1 and Minolta’s Edoardo Cotichini, Senior Manager Professional Print Digital embellishment will also continue to be a key growth driver in the production printing market and at the same time a profitable way for print service providers