RECAP: EFI's Pre-drupa Press Tour

With drupa making its much anticipated return this year after a years-long hiatus, the show in Dusseldorf certainly made up for the lost time. The international event was jam-packed with new technologies and breaking news.  

EFI was just one of the exhibitors who made headlines when it unveiled several innovative solutions for textiles and display graphics, particularly the VUTEk X5r superwide roll-to-roll LED inkjet printer, EFInsight, and the EFI Nozomi 17000 SD single-pass LED inkjet printer.  

While drupa was the first time most people got to see and learn about these new technologies, I was among a small group of journalists who were able to get a sneak peek of EFI’s latest innovations back in April at its European facilities.  

EFI's headquarters in Spain

EFI took the liberty of inviting a group of us to its Valencia, Spain and Bergamo, Italy headquarters for a drupa preview. When I was asked to go, the obvious answer was yes. So, after pinching myself, I packed my bags, got on a plane at Philly international, and left to experience an invaluable trip. I learned much and gained some friends along the way.  

And I’m not going to lie, it was the first time I’ve ever had a driver waiting for me at the airport with my name on a sign—kind of felt like a rockstar, just a little bit.  

EFI's team members gave us in-depth run-downs on equipment.

For four days, EFI’s teams in Spain and Italy graciously hosted us and walked us through their facilities, giving us equipment demos and insightful presentations—the beautiful lunch and dinner excursions surely didn’t hurt either. I mean, it’s not every day you’re looking at a cathedral in Bergamo during your lunch hour or getting served an umpteen-course tapas dinner in Valencia after the day’s work is done. 

So, now that these new technologies and solutions have been unveiled, let’s look at some of the key takeaways we can gather from these innovations.  

Sustainability is Key  

It’s apparent that sustainability is one of the items at the forefront. The energy efficiency of the Nozomi C18000 single-pass printer has been rated at the top of its class, according to the ISQ 20690 Annex A energy standard, and the Nozomi’s LED inks are OCC-E certified for recyclability.  

Current and prospective EFI Nozomi customers, brands, and retailers are also able to calculate the environmental impact of print volume on EFI digital technology thanks to EFI’s LCA tool. Uisng this tool, companies can be cognizant of exactly what their eco-impact is.  

EFI has also taken steps with its own facilities, not just with its technologies. The 3,200 sq. ft. facility in Bergamo, Italy has solar panels that provide 60% of the facility’s total energy, and natural light that reduces the need for artificial lighting. 

Supporting “Mega Trends”  

It’s evident that in print, trends are constantly evolving. But to stay relevant and profitable, it’s imperative that print service providers partake in these trends because they’re more than just fads, they’re the future of the industry.  

In essence, EFI wants to support its customers by following the industry’s “megatrends:” things like sustainability, convergence, and personalization. Through their digital inkjet innovations, EFI is showing its existing and potential customers that they’re passionate about customer success and longevity in an ever-evolving industry.  

That’s why EFI is focusing its innovations on textile, packaging, and signage and display spaces.  

In a press release from EFI, CEO Frank Pennisi said, “The solutions on our [drupa] stand present game-changing opportunities that visitors can implement today and plan for tomorrow to future-proof their businesses in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace.”  

Having seen EFI’s new technologies up close, it is clear the company is designing to meet the emerging needs of its customers.