Follow Us on the #RoadToPRINTINGUnited
The following article was originally published by Wide-format Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, Wide-Format Impressions.
In the weeks leading up to PRINTING United Expo, taking place in Las Vegas, Oct. 19-21, we began sharing our #RoadToPRINTINGUnited! Here are some highlights of shops we visited. Keep your eye on our social media pages, where we will share images and video content with you.
To check out the wide-format shops we visited along the way, visit our page on Wide-Format Impressions.
For a look at the apparel shops we checked out, visit our page on Apparelist.
Updated Monday, October 17
October 14: Colornet, Van Nuys, California
Fujifilm Graphic Systems Acuity LED 40
On Friday, we met with Colornet Press and its owner Rich Yassamy. This commercial printer, founded in 1989, has continued to evolve and grow over the past several decades. In August 2019, Colornet Press added the Fujifilm Graphic Systems Acuity LED 40 which allows the company to produce high-quality fine art and photographic work on a wide range of media. A month later, Colornet Press added the Zünd Systemtechnik AG G3 Digital Cutter to be used in conjunction with press sheets or large-format inkjet prints to deliver both exceptional productivity with unsurpassed cut quality.
Heidelberg Stahlfolder at Colornet.
In the middle of the pandemic, in May 2021, Colornet continued to invest, installing a new HP Graphic Arts Indigo 7K Digital Press which replaced an older model. Highlights of this new press include metallic ink colors, actual PMS color inks, and an improved opaque white ink.
October 13: Classic Litho, Torrance, California
Closing out the day, we visited Classic Litho + Design and met with Masoud Nikravan, VP and co-owner. For more than 30 years, the company has been working with large and small businesses to deliver quality print products. From packaging and large-format graphics to custom diecutting, bindery, and fulfillment.
The supply chain issues we've seen with paper is something Classic continues to track very closely. In most — if not all — the companies we visited, the supply chain issue of paper and print products continues to cause troubles. Classic took steps to make sure the company can provide timely turnarounds for its clients by sourcing and stocking as much paper as they could get their hands on.
For all the PSPs close to the Port of Long Beach, their location has been a benefit, giving many printers first dibs on the new paper coming in my shipping container from Asia.
October 13: Lithographix, Hawthorne, California
We couldn't stop in Hawthorne, California, without visiting Lithographix's massive facility. VP of Sales Layne C. Morey gave us a tour of the company's 265,000-sq.-ft. facility, which houses eight-color Mitsubishi sheetfed offset technology; eight-color Mitsubishi web offset technology; digital technology, including an HP Indigo 7600 and HP Indigo 12000; large-format offset, including a Koenig & Bauer Rapida 205; EFI Vutek series devices; a full spectrum of traditional and digital binding and finishing equipment; a healthy line of Miller Weldmaster equipment; and more.
Lithographix's Koenig & Bauer Rapida 205.
The massive facility is partially powered by a group of solar panels on the building's roof — contributing to 40% of the electricity used by the facility.
October 13: D'Andrea Visual Communications, Cypress, California
Scott Powers, director of retail accounts D'Andrea Visual Communications
Our second stop for the day was the Cypress, California branch of D'Andrea Visual Communications, a minority-owned shop that first got it's start in 2005 as a lithographic printer. Since then, the shop has expanded, adding a wide range of wide-and grand-format printing to its mix, along with custom fabrication projects. Scott Powers, director of retail accounts, notes that they don't even think of themselves as printers these days - they are a communications company, helping customers and brands execute their vision.
Of particular note as we toured the facility was the wide range of dye-sub equipment that allows the shop to print on fabrics of almost any size, for projects that range from small retail banners up to massive projects that can dominate the front of a building. They also have an impressive fabrication section, where they can make frames for those fabric signs and banners in any shape or size. The shop also prides itself on its people - Powers noted more than once that without the dedication and hard work of the project managers who stay on top of the details, many, if not all, of their work would be "dead in the water."
It was an impressive operation, and we had a great time touring the facility.
Dan Hirt, president, Primary Color
October 13: Primary Color, Cypress, California
Today, we started off our day on the #RoadToPRINTINGUnited with a visit to Primary Color. The Cypress, California-based company started in 1984. Our hosts for this stop were Dan Hirt and Mark Marth — and they were fantastic!
It was great to have the opportunity to talk to them and see how they are innovating — especially in color, which is really no surprise due to their background in color. Dan also highlighted a new color process with expanded gamut inks (eight colors) which provides them with nearly 170% more colors than GRACol. So impressive!
It's also interesting to see how #convergence and #diversification are integrated in many of the companies we're visiting. Commercial printers adding wide-format technology. Sign and graphics printers with litho presses who are also moving into packaging. Some are adding logistics and fulfillment and kitting.
There's so much opportunity out there and these companies are proving it day in and day out.
October 12: Direct Edge, Anaheim, California
Ryan Brueckner, CEO of Direct Edge Media.
Direct Edge Media was founded in 2001 by Ryan Brueckner and Ryan Clark with the goal to print large format photo enlargements at an affordable price. With their drive to say “yes” and their commitment to building long-lasting customer partnerships, Direct Edge quickly evolved into a comprehensive print communications company.
Today, Direct Edge invests in the latest technological advances and a diverse team of talented professionals, to offers our clients an extensive range of business enhancing capabilities, while staying true to quality, affordability and exceptional client care.
We had the chance to visit both locations of Direct Edge in Anaheim. Ryan Brueckner and Ryan Clark were great hosts and offered a ton of insight into their business and the industry as a whole.
It was great to see the Onset in action while we were there, along with its automation in full swing (robot arm). The Ryans — as well as many others — are certainly interested to see how the new Agfa inks will interface with the Inca Digital Printers platform, but we'll have to wait until PRINTING United Expo to find out more.
In addition to touring the wide-format plant, we had the opportunity to see their second location housing all of the litho equipment and bindery. It was so great to see how this company is growing and expanding — and embracing — all the various aspects of the graphic arts and visual communications industries. Truly convergence in action.
October 11: Neyenesch, San Diego, California
Our first stop in Southern California was at Neyenesch, a family-owned and operated commercial printer since 1899. The woman-owned business offers everything from direct mail and packaging, to brochures, and more, with services in printing, fulfillment, mailing, and digital marketing. Curtis Conklin and Summer Gould, account executives at Neyenesch showed us around the shop, which abuts San Diego International Airport.
The company offers sheetfed, including a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106, short-run color and variable data printing, heat-set web, UV inkjet, various finishing capabilities, and more.
Like many companies, Neyenesch needed to be strategic to account for the paper supply chain issues, but it was able to keep up with customer demands and remain successful.
October 10: Gunderson Direct, Hayward, California
Mike Gunderson, president, Gunderson Direct.
Mike Gunderson, president of Gunderson Direct, welcomed us into his California shop on Monday. The marketing agency specializes in direct mail and works with large companies that want a reliable, measureable, and scalable approach to driving results. Gunderson Direct doesn't just rely on the software and products that are already on the market, it works to build and improve upon processes by testing and optimizing the highest quality offerings.
John Sharp of Landmark Grafix hosted us for a tour of his shop in San Leandro, California, last week. The full-service printing company offers a variety of services, including design, custom work, and installation.
John Sharp, owner, Landmark Grafix.
Landmark Grafix's HP Latex R1000.
The company was formed in 1993 as a provider of graphics for race cars and teams, but has since expanded to serve large-format printing needs of retail, corporate, and commercial clients, with its fleet of fleet of flatbed and roll-to-roll latex HP equipment, including an HP Latex R1000.
Sharp explained to us that green initiatives are a important focus for Landmark, as the company strives to find partners to work with on sourcing more sustainable options.
