9 Weeks Out: 9 Communities to Explore at PRINTING United Expo

We're just nine weeks away from the printing industry's most dynamic and comprehensive event, with more than one million square feet of equipment and solutions, as well as informative educational sessions, there's something for everyone at PRINTING United Expo (Sept. 10-12, Las Vegas).

The event takes a one-roof approach, meaning there will be equipment, solutions, technology, events, and education for nine different communities within the printing industry: Apparel Decoration; Commercial and Publishing; Functional and Industrial; Graphic Installers; Graphics and Wide-Format; In-Plants; Labels and Packaging; Mailing, Shipping and Fulfillment; and Promotional.

Let's dive into each community and check out some of the many things the Expo has in store.

Commercial and Publishing

For those interested in the Commercial printing and Publishing segments, there will be plenty of equipment and solutions on the show floor, including from Platinum sponsor Ricoh (Booth C2161) and Gold sponsor Muller Martini (Booth C2561).

To dive into the educational space, check out "Survey Says Production Inkjet is Delivering Benefits to Commercial Printers on All Fronts" (Sept. 11), hosted by Lisa Cross, principal analyst, and Nathan Safran, vice president of Research, both of NAPCO Research. The session will explore how high-speed production inkjet printing is an attractive investment, backed up by research, that focuses on application trends, benefits, and the ways providers and users are leveraging the process to redefine communication possibilities.

Those currently engaged in or looking to expand into the book market should check out "Book Industry Market Update" (Sept. 12), moderated by Matt Baehr, executive director at Book Manufacturing Institute. The panel session will look at how book manufacturers are combining printing and finishing to maximize capacity and minimize labor challenges.

This year, the Apparel community will be taken to the next level with the Apparel Zone, powered by Apparelist Live!, where experiential learning and hands-on education will take center stage for those new to apparel decoration and those who are experienced. Throughout the event, attendees can head over to the Zone to explore how to utilize and implement five different decorating techniques: screen printing; heat-applied graphics; embroidery; digital decorating; and sublimation/cut-and-sew.

Also reimagined for this year is the The Apparelist Live! Theater, which will showcase educational presentations on topics designed to help decorators run their businesses successfully.

Educational sessions also take place "off the show floor," during the Expo's extensive educational tracks. Don't miss sessions such as "Targeted Success: Finding Your Ideal Customer" (Sept. 10), and "AI in Apparel Decorating: Exploring the Tools Beyond Graphic Design" (Sept. 11).

Functional/Industrial

If you're looking to explore the functional/industrial space, stop by Gold sponsor Birttani Display (Booth SL5194) for the latest in its range of display, signage, and exhibit products and services, then take advantage of some of the educational sessions planned to address the needs of the functional/industrial space.

On Sept. 11, Andy MacDougall of RH Solutions will speak with a panel of experts from various sectors, suppliers, and printers about the future of functional and industrial printing in the session "Printing the Future Now." The session promises to give a "peek behind the curtain" because "hiding in plain sight, functional and industrial print is in every electronic device, consumer product, auto and airplane, solar and hydrogen fuel cells, medical devices and products, and things not even imagined 10 years ago. ... Anyone looking for new opportunities in print should attend."

Graphic Installers