HD Apeiron/42, the new contact-free art scanner from Contex, uses unparalleled technology to accurately digitise media. With the market’s most realistic image quality, full light control and a unique ability to emphasize details, the scanner is ideal for fine art, fragile artifacts and more. This art scanner is another innovative solution from the world leader in large format scanning.

Meeting the highest FADGI image quality level with four stars as the first of its kind, and also reaching CRI levels above 98 makes it clear that this scanner is head and shoulders above the rest.

Featuring a clearance height of 10 inches (254 mm) and a focal plane of up to 5.1 inches (130 mm), it also enables scanning of thicker media, such as framed artwork.

“When you’re working with what could be priceless originals, only the best is good enough,” says Jacob Bendix, CCO and VP of Global Sales & Marketing. “HD Apeiron/42 beats the competition on all parameters, which means our entry into the art scanner space will open up new opportunities for our customers. The technology we have put behind digitizing art and other media is simply better and more effective.”

Unparalleled technology and light control

Six quad-linear Fujifilm lenses with Toshiba colour CCDs capture all details in up to 1200 dpi optical resolution – twice the competition’s image quality.

Patent-pending laser-controlled camera adjustment and motorized focus adjustment make focusing easy as well.

“The way we integrated the precision timing belt for the table transmission makes HD Apeiron/42 equally as precise as our other scanners which we have further developed and improved over the last 20+ years,” says Søren Thuun Jensen, CTO and VP of R&D. “Together with the lighting in the scan module which is uniformly illuminated in all three dimensions, it is, simply put, a superior scanner.”

The lamps in HD Apeiron/42 recreate the natural daylight spectrum using cutting-edge LEDs with TRI-RTM technology. This, plus the clever design of LED strips mounted in elliptical reflectors, results in correct and uniform colors – and no distance fading.

Preserving the unique surface sensations of an original in the scanned image is also easy. HD Apeiron/42 offers four different lamp positions, and depending on their position, the lamps provide different types of highlights and shadow effects – especially if paired with the 3D option. In comparison the competition has only one lamp position.

Museum-correct light with no UV/IR radiation conserves the art.

Fast, flexible and fitted

HD Apeiron/42 is the fastest contact-free large format scanner on the market. A flexible solution; it improves workflows while ensuring superior image quality.

The hardware is designed to support correct ergonomics; this includes an adjustable arm with the touchscreen, so the operator doesn’t have to hunch over.

Simple scanning

Award-winning Nextimage software forms the operational foundation of the scanner. While the Nextimage Apeiron software (included) itself is complex, using it is as simple as:

• Choosing between presets (or making and saving your own)
• Positioning the table and the focal plane
• Scanning

All required parameters are readily accessible on the touchscreen rather than hidden behind tabs or dropdown menus. A variety of post-scanning options also allow the user to adjust parameters and effects, if desired.

About Contex

As the world's largest developer and producer of large format imaging solutions, Contex leads the market with innovative technology and advanced scan and copy software applications. Sold worldwide in more than 90 countries, Contex solutions are recognized in a wide range of industries for reliability, value, high performance, and superb image quality.

Summa nv, a leading company of high-end cutting plotters and finishing systems, has released a new version of their GoProduce software, GoProduce Flatbed Edition 3.0. This software is explicitly tailored to Summa’s flatbed cutter range, the F Series. As a result, the in-house developed software ensures optimal utilisation of the flatbed cutters and efficiency in customers' production processes.

GoProduce Flatbed Edition

GoProduce was originally released in 2019, as the first software module within Summa’s GoSuite platform. This was followed by a major upgrade to version 2.0 in 2020. Summa always strives to deliver innovative and cutting-edge solutions, so the major upgrade was done to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Out of the same aspiration, GoProduce Flatbed Edition 3.0 is born. The specification ‘Flatbed Edition’ has now been added to the software name to make a clear distinction in the software available, as Summa also has production software for their L Series laser cutters called GoProduce Laser Edition.

The software comes with every new F Series and is easy to install. With its intuitive interface and easy navigation, the software is user-friendly and users quickly find their way around. For users who want to get the most out of their cutter and workflow, a Pro Pack is available that unlocks additional features such as Barcode functionality, Hot folder support and Twin X workflow.

General great things about GoProduce:

• Material manager: Library of materials and their optimised settings. There is already a whole lot of them included but you can also add new ones manually.
• Action sets: there are standard action sets or you can custom make them, perfect to optimise the workflow for your way of working.
• Backside cutting: it’s possible to cut the unprinted backside of the material, perfect for cutting packages, as that way the tool does not damage the design.
• Sorting: Optimises the cutting path, making the machine more efficient and makes your output faster.
• Barcode functionality ^{Pro Pack}: The barcode functionality reads the printed barcode and automatically identifies the job to obtain the necessary cutting data from the computer.

More Powerful, More Connected, More Enhanced

The new GoProduce Flatbed Edition 3.0 is now available, and it has some great new features:

• Powerful 64-bit software: Not only does the software run faster, but there is now more working memory, making it operate more efficiently.
• Connected media handling: It integrates the flatbed cutter smoothly with peripherals to create an efficient automated workflow, using our GoConnect software integration.
• New predefined action sets for automatic feeder support.
• New logging features for better support.

The V3 software is optimised for routing jobs. It comes with new routing capabilities that are perfect for cutting out shapes more precisely. They maximise productivity when processing wood, acrylics, and plastics. The features supporting this are:

• Automatic detection of drill hole placeholders.
• Lead-in or lead-out for the milling path: It can now automatically start and end outside of the shape. There are two possibilities to do this using either a perpendicular lead-in or corner lead-in.

Empower Your Machine Precision

Randi Kerkaert, Product Manager at Summa, reflects on the importance of the upgrade for our customers: “I'm excited to see how this major software release will take our customers' production processes to the next level. We’re not just updating features; each major upgrade enhances the way our users interact with their F Series flatbed cutters and helps to maximise the productivity of their equipment. With GoProduce Flatbed Edition 3.0, we're once again raising the bar for what users can achieve with our software."

The GoProduce Flatbed Edition 3.0 software is available with every new F Series and as a paid upgrade for existing users. A 30-day trial allows existing F Series users to discover the new features in the software: https://www.summa.com/en/support/software-firmware/

Onyx Graphics, Inc., a pioneer in wide-format digital printing solutions and RIP software development, is set to preview ONYX 24 and unveil the much-anticipated ONYX Sync at FESPA 2024. Version 24 introduces features such as automated multi-layer printing, seamless mobile device integration, and advanced print quality assurance. These innovations continually demonstrate the company's commitment and capability in powering the next generation of automated printing solutions for print operators and businesses worldwide.

Introducing ONYX 24: Elevating Print Workflow Efficiency

ONYX 24, the company’s latest release in RIP software, introduces major optimisations that address key industry challenges in print automation and efficiency. Developed with feedback from industry professionals, version 24 achieved major breakthroughs, including automated multi-layer preparation for spot colours and effects, mobile spectrophotometer calibration, and embedded workflows for colour verification.

This release marks a significant leap forward, with end-to-end automation that transforms integrated print management. Key technical highlights include:

• Easy Multi-Layer Printing: Achieves effortless multi-layer printing through automated generation of layers based on spot colours, varnish, or other special printing effects. This feature streamlines complex file preparation by eliminating manual separation of elements across layers, saving valuable time while ensuring quality.
• Wireless Support for NIX Spectro Devices: Introducing native support for the NIX Spectro 2 and Spectro L spectrophotometers via Bluetooth. This new wireless connectivity powers the next generation of colour measurement, enabling wireless reading and calibration at an affordable price.
• Colour Accuracy Verification: Users can now add a ColorCheck Baseline Swatch to newly created profiles to verify the accuracy of future prints. This is achieved by incorporating a ColorCheck Strip at the time of profile generation, subsequently establishing a quality baseline for printers. When future print jobs utilise this process control feature, the same patches can be measured in order to verify that the prints continue to adhere to colour quality benchmarks, allowing for the detection of drift over time and to prevent errors.

"ONYX 24 marks a major milestone in our commitment to address practical challenges faced by the printing industry," said Matt Crawford, CEO of Onyx Graphics, Inc. "With this release, we're fully ready to roll out our most innovative RIP solutions to our European customers, empowering our users with the tools they need for unparalleled efficiency and success.”

ONYX Sync: The Future of Print Shop Automation

ONYX Sync is the latest REST API developed to enable print service providers (PSPs) to grow and automate their businesses. Our solution enables print shops to fully streamline and align their print production processes with various business tools, and to connect ONYX Thrive with users’ existing business management software to enhance workflow efficiency and productivity.

This API integration empowers print shops to eliminate manual tasks, minimise operational errors, and conserve essential production time, resulting in advantages such as:

• Real-time production feedback and status updates through an intuitive API.
• Seamless integration with existing business management software, eliminating manual intervention.
• Automated job submission and management tools for increased efficiency and scalability.
• Enhanced communication and job status notifications for better customer service.

“ONYX Sync drives tremendous sustainability gains through automated production efficiency,” said Crawford. “The seamless integration with ONYX Thrive optimizes workflows to minimize waste, create circular material usage, and provide robust analytics for carbon and environmental impact management. By embracing API and IoT technologies to reduce print resource intensity, we firmly believe ONYX Sync creates a greener model for the future.”

About Onyx Graphics, Inc.

Leading the market since 1989, Onyx Graphics is dedicated to helping customers increase productivity, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge with superior software solutions for the print industry. Innovative, productive, and delighted customers around the globe help motivate the company to develop and enhance its leading-edge technologies. Global channel partnerships and longstanding relationships with printer manufacturers position Onyx Graphics as a market leader in powerful, reliable, large-format printing workflow and print business software solutions.

Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and fluctuating customer demand, print business leaders face a number of challenges in 2024. However, the large format printing market continues to grow at a steady rate, with technology adoption and new application innovations powering progress. We see several trends that, if approached in the right way, represent opportunities for print service providers (PSPs) to truly thrive in the year ahead.

Automating Workflows With

80% of businesses worldwide automating processes, automation is increasingly important as organisations continue to navigate macro issues such as labour shortages. Automation also boosts the speed print firms can operate at, improves the accuracy of projects, and identifies errors - enabling PSPs to find new ways to streamline operations.

As businesses run digital presses on a 24/7 basis, we expect to see a greater uptake of automated services, and the arrival of new tools to better meet PSP needs. By running businesses and print jobs through platforms like HP Print OS, print firms can unlock previously unseen efficiencies – such as through data analysis of operations, unattended printing or removing repetitive and time-consuming processes.

Whilst the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is still emerging in the large format sector, in the medium to long term, firms that have already implemented a highly automated infrastructure will be the ones most likely to benefit from AI-influenced advances in the future, such as predictive maintenance.

Sustainability is Profitability

Research shows that 85% of PSP customers now demand sustainable products and practices. Increasing demand for more sustainable goods reflects the consumer shift in values and awareness of the planet’s health. Print firms will continue to recognise this in 2024 and embed sustainable practices where possible.

For this reason, water-based and odourless inks will be sought after, allowing print professionals to say yes to a wider range of jobs, including sensitive indoor environments. The fact more than one in five printers sold in the large format market is an HP Latex device, is proof that this trend is already well underway.

However, print firms will need to look beyond ink and also consider how substrates can be procured and disposed of in a sustainable way. Although progress has been made, the industry must continue to find alternatives to materials such as PVC by investing in new media and research to discover and elevate sustainable solutions.

Greater focus will also be placed on the energy efficiency of printers, as well as extending the lifespan of hardware through easy recycling options when a device reaches end of life. Vendors will be required to step up and support print firms in becoming more sustainable by practice - via programs like HP Planet Partners which provides recycling options for both supplies and hardware.

Print and Protect

Remote working prompted a rise in the volume and variety of malware attacks over the last four years. In an increasingly connected world, businesses will remain vulnerable. This is particularly true for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), that have lower budgets and a lack of dedicated IT support. Research shows nearly half of SMBs have experienced a cyber security incident within the past year, while over two thirds don’t consider security until after an incident.

As the web of connected devices in office spaces become more sophisticated, and with the advent of AI, the cyber security landscape will become even more complex in 2024.

There is an opportunity to redesign and rebuild a digital ecosystem of tools that help businesses securely manage their end-point devices and data. Printers are often a forgotten endpoint, giving hackers a way into a network. However, with more security-conscious solutions on the market, like HP’s Wolf Security-enabled DesignJet range, SMBs will begin to turn the tide on cyber criminals.

Personalisation and Co-created Content

In an increasingly commoditised world, PSPs will stand out and win business in 2024 with customisable offerings. Brands are seeking ways to differentiate themselves from competitors, while end consumers have shown appetite for personalised or ‘limited edition’ products and experiences. According to research by Sparks & Honey, the expected value of the personalised items market will reach $201bn by 2026, up 49% from 2021. Meanwhile, 70% of shoppers are willing to pay at least 10% more for customised or unique products.

We are seeing creative platforms such as Canva increasing end users’ design capabilities, giving them more ways to personalise print products such as wallpaper. HP recently released a trends report which highlights that the digitally printed wallpaper market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 23.6% until 2025, reaching a total value of $10.4 billion.

Brands will increasingly base their marketing strategies around ‘user-generated’ or ‘co-created’ content - campaigns that tell the stories of their customers and speak directly to them. According to marketing analytics firm WARC, such approaches have become the number one most effective way to reach Gen Z and millennial audiences.

With the right technology, print firms will be the enablers of this growing trend, and become trusted partners for brands. At a hardware level, firms will need digital print technology capable of handling a range of specifications, delivering short runs, and accommodating fast turnarounds. However, the ecosystem around the device will become even more key in 2024, ranging from the software firms are embedding to manage operations, to ensuring staff are upskilled to harness the latest tools coming to market.

Transforming Our World by Design in 2024

Print businesses have been evolving year on year, and turbulence in recent years has only accelerated the pace of change. Large format print providers are displaying resilience and creativity, and the industry will continue to thrive this year in a more connected, automated, sustainable and secure environment.

About HP

HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more.

When it comes to professional sign-making, having a cutting plotter that is fast, efficient, and versatile is an absolute necessity. Enter the Summa S Class 3 – the epitome of precision and flexibility. With a wide array of applications that set your business apart, this cutting-edge machine is a game-changer. The application possibilities are endless, but we summed up the categories where the S Class 3 truly excels!

1. Large Signs Make a BOLD Impression

The Summa S Class 3 is your ticket to making a BIG impact with signage. From crafting captivating floor graphics and stunning wall designs to producing eye-catching window stickers and precise lettering, this machine handles it all with finesse.

Need your message to hit the road? Our roll cutter ensures your graphic vehicle designs are nothing short of head-turning. Seeking privacy? The S Class 3 effortlessly transforms your windows into advertising masterpieces while safeguarding privacy from within. And when it’s about grabbing attention indoors, totems and other interior advertising are a breeze for the S Class 3.

2. Small Text and Intricate Designs: Precision at Its Best

The S Class 3 is your ultimate solution for handling small letters and intricate designs with unparalleled precision. What sets it apart? Summa’s Tangential cutting technology! Unlike traditional drag knives, this innovative tech lifts and reorients the knife in corners, resulting in even sharper and more precise cuts.

But that's not all – the Summa S Class 3 boasts Smart Object Sorting, selecting the most optimal starting point for cutting, and Smart Panelling, ensuring efficient cutting of all objects within a set range.

From promotional items like flawlessly cut keychains and magnets to small signage such as nameplates, directional signs, and room numbers, this machine does it all. Labels and tags, both for products and organisational needs, find their perfection here. And, of course, custom apparel enthusiasts will love the S Class 3 for creating personalised T-shirts, hats, socks, and more.

3. Every Type of Sticker Imaginable: How a-peel-ing!

Take your sticker game to the next level with the S Class 3! This machine optimises your print and cut workflows like never before, thanks to FlexCut.

How does Flexcut work? One length is cut completely through the material, while the other is cut halfway through, creating a perfect tear-off line. This ensures your material stays rigid during transport through the Summa cutter yet remains easy to remove from your design afterwards.

The possibilities are boundless! Whether it's standard vinyl stickers, kiss-cut stickers, die-cut stickers, clear stickers, bumper stickers, holographic stickers, transfer stickers, or window clings and wall/floor stickers, the S Class 3 handles them all with precision and ease.

4. Thick, Thin, and Tough Material

Standard laminated vinyl is not the only material that can be cut with the S Class 3. Thanks to the tangential cutting head, all types of materials of non-standard thickness can be cut. This opens up a whole new array of cutting possibilities!

When we talk about thin materials, we are referring to substances thinner than standard sticker vinyl, like car wraps. In contrast, thick and tough materials (which tend to be the same materials) are materials that can be up to 1.2mm thick, such as laminated vinyl and folding carton.

5. Creasing: When folding under pressure is a good thing

Only available on Summa cutting plotters is the possibility to not only cut but also crease. In fact, the new Performance Head can cut and crease during the same job, i.e. without having to change tools or having to stop the machine. 

The creasing function is perfect for short-run applications. For example, to make exclusive gadgets for events or companies in folding carton.

Folding carton is incredibly versatile in its applications. Combining it with the S Class 3 can lead to some great results. For example, you can make some high-quality restaurant menus as well as personalized greeting cards for special occasions. Short-run leaflets, as well as folders, can be made with an S Class 3. Creating customized little boxes is an option, too and can be used to hold small presents or business cards.

About Summa

Every day, for over three decades, Summa has delivered the world’s highest quality vinyl and contour cutters, finishing flatbeds and laser cutters without compromise. Summa provides cutting-edge solutions for the printing, signage, display, apparel and packaging industries.