2026 Pinnacle Products Show Up for PRINTING United Expo
In just under a month, the biggest and most comprehensive printing industry show in North America will take up residence in Las Vegas, Sept. 23-25. The 2026 iteration of PRINTING United Expo offers industry professionals access to educational programming, space to network with friends both old and new, and opportunities to see the latest technology in action.
The technology aspect will certainly be a major focal point. The jam-packed show floor will be home to technologies that span diverse printing segments, including apparel decoration, label and package printing, wide-format printing, commercial printing, and promotional products decoration. And the piece de resistance: Many of the 2026 Pinnacle Award winners are set to make an appearance on the show floor.
Read on to learn about just a few of the 2026 Pinnacle Products that will bring the energy to PRINTING United Expo.
Output Products
Durst North America
Product: P5 350 HS
Award: UV/Latex Hybrid (More Than $500K)
Booth C1614
The P5 350 HS. | Credit: Durst
Durst will hold demos of the P5 350 HS in the D4 configuration at its booth. The hybrid UV-LED printer runs at speeds of up to 7,620 sqft/hr, and can accommodate media up to 138˝. It can handle both rolls and boards. For rigid materials, it has up to six available independent queues; for flexible materials, it offers dual- and multi-roll setups. The machine is just one of Durst North America’s five Pinnacle wins this year.
“To receive this level of recognition for the fourth consecutive year is an incredible honor,” Tim Saur, president and managing director of Durst North America Group, said in a statement. “This achievement reinforces what has defined our company for 90 years: an unwavering commitment to developmental expertise, precision and performance. These awards are more than a reflection of where we are today; they are a testament to the ingenuity of our teams and a preview of the innovations that will shape the future of our industry.”
Epson America
Products: SureColor S8170; SureColor F20070; SureColor F9570H
Awards: Roll-to-Roll Solvent/Latex (Under 80˝); Roll-to-Roll Dye-Sublimation on Textile (More Than $100K); Roll-to-Roll Dye-Sublimation on Textile (Under $50K)
Booth C1945
Epson will showcase all three of its 2026 Pinnacle Award winners during PRINTING United Expo. The SureColor S8170, which won in the Roll-to-Roll Solvent/Latex (Under 80˝) category, uses the PrecisionCore Micro TFP printhead with nozzle verification and an integrated temperature sensor control to produce consistent, high-quality prints.
“Today’s print providers need equipment that helps them do more in less time without compromising quality,” David Bistrovic, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, said in a statement. “The versatile SureColor S8170 64˝ solvent printer was designed to deliver the speed, reliability, and exceptional image quality that sign and graphics professionals rely on every day, helping them maximize productivity, expand their application capabilities, and keep production moving.”
Meanwhile, the SureColor F20070 — winner of the Roll-to-Roll Dye-Sublimation on Textile (More Than $100K) category — is designed to boost throughput and profit for textile producers working with high volumes. It features a 76˝ print width and a large-capacity ink system to eliminate downtime.
“Designed for demanding textile environments, it enables businesses to increase output, reduce downtime, and maintain consistent, repeatable results at scale,” Tim Check, senior product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, said in a statement.
Also intended for textile production is the SureColor F9570H, which won in the Roll-to-Roll Dye-Sublimation on Textile (Under $50K) category. It uses a six-color ink set, with options for the fifth and sixth colors being fluorescent pink and yellow, orange and violet, or light cyan and magenta.
“Combined with industrial-level productivity, advanced media handling, and reliable high-speed performance, it helps businesses produce standout products while maximizing efficiency,” Check said.
Vanguard Digital Printing Systems
Product: Vanguard VR6D-HS
Awards: UV/Latex Flatbed ($70K - $100K)
Booth C1514; Demo at Partner Booth N6843 (Pacific Office Automation)
As part of a partnership, Pacific Office Automation will run demos of the Vanguard VR6D-HS for attendees. The flatbed printer — one of Vanguard Digital Printing Systems’ eight Pinnacle winners this year — features Ricoh Gen 6 printhead technology and a high-speed magnetic drive. It uses LED curing technology, can print a 50x99˝ area, and supports CMYK plus white and violet inks.
“Our printers are the product of creativity, dedication, and intense passion from our entire team, and we are so honored to have received eight awards recognizing that,” Jim Peterson, COO and founding partner of Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, said in a statement. “We’ve always been committed to advancing the industry, but most importantly, to helping our customers succeed and grow. We will continue to use our passion and innovation to raise the bar for what’s possible for our customers, for us, and for our industry.”
The Vanguard VR6D-HS. | Credit: Vanguard
Non-Output Products
Drytac
Product: Polar Chrome
Awards: Media — Films
Booth C1937
Modern beauty salon interior. Different cosmetics on shelves. | Credit: Drytac
Drytac will display its Polar Chrome film at its booth, where it will host live application demos throughout the three-day show. Polar Chrome is designed for high-impact, light-catching graphics for indoor and short-term outdoor applications.
“Polar Chrome stands out because it gives print service providers an easy way to create premium metallic graphics without the cost or complexity of printing directly onto metal,” Amanda Lowe, global marketing director at Drytac, said in a statement. “The satin silver PET film delivers exceptional print quality, dimensional stability, and durability, making it ideal for retail displays, point-of-purchase graphics, signage, and interior decor applications. It’s a versatile solution that helps brands achieve a high-end metallic finish while maintaining the ease of use and performance customers expect from Drytac products.”
Enfocus
Product: PitStop Botus AI Chatbot
Award: Software — Prepress and Premedia
Booths C107 and N6567
Live demos of Enfocus’ PitStop Botus will offer attendees the opportunity to see the AI chatbot give immediate personalized advice, productivity tips, and troubleshooting guidance. The guidance is drawn from decades of PitStop expertise, according to PitStop Product Manager Loïc Aigon.
“What makes Botus really stand out is that it is grounded in trusted Enfocus product knowledge, helping users discover features, solve problems, and become productive faster while providing answers aligned with documented product behavior,” Aigon said in a statement. “Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Botus combines AI with PitStop-specific knowledge to provide conversational, actionable guidance to our users when they need it.”
The PitStop Botus AI Chatbot. | Credit: Enfocus
Fiery
Product: Fiery ColorGuard 2026
Award: Software — Color Management and Quality Control
Booth C1449
Fiery ColorGuard 2026. | Credit: Fiery
Fiery will run live demonstrations of the ColorGuard 2026 software at its booth. ColorGuard is a powerful, easy-to-use, cloud-based color control solution that enables consistent, accurate color reproduction. The software monitors color drift, performs color verifications and recalibrations based on schedules, and alerts or acts automatically when a corrective action is needed due to a verification fail. The most recent update expands the software’s application beyond commercial print and high-speed inkjet, enabling large-format printers to also take advantage of it.
Imaging Solutions
Product: multiCut Sheet
Award: Diecutting Equipment
Booth N5013
The multiCut Sheet. | Credit: Imaging Solutions
Attendees will be able to see the multiCut Sheet XY-cutter in action at Imaging Solutions’ booth. The diecutter can cut and sort various image sizes on a single sheet — such as B2 and SRA3+ — which helps reduce time spent on sorting multi-format orders.
“The multiCut Sheet is redefining automated sheet finishing by enabling multiple output formats to be cut and sorted from a single printed sheet in one seamless workflow,” Gregor Kohle, CMO of Imaging Solutions, said in a statement. “Winning the 2026 Pinnacle Award is a great honor for us and a strong recognition of our commitment to developing innovative automation solutions that deliver real value to our customers.”
Technology Products
Felix Schoeller
Product: RubyPaper
Booth C1974
RubyPaper | Credit: Felix Schoeller
RubyPaper is a resin-coated photo paper designed for high-speed inkjet production. It enables PSPs to produce the look of traditional photo paper, both glossy and lustre, at high speeds without needing lamination. The microporous ink-receiving layer plus the resin coating help maintain high optical density, expanded color gamut, and sharp details.
“Winning the Pinnacle Award validates our commitment to developing product solutions that open up new opportunities for our customers in terms of quality, efficiency, and differentiation,” Hadrien Cottin, VP of sales, Digital Media Americas at Felix Schoeller, said in a statement. “With RubyPaper, we are bridging the gap between industrial inkjet productivity and the emotional quality of real photography.”
Hybrid Software
Products: Hybrid Software PACKZ Max; Mako Core PrintSDK with Apex
Booth C1371
The Hybrid Software Group will have various demos available at its booth, two of which will showcase its 2026 Pinnacle Award winners.
An integrated piece of the PACKZ 12 PDF editor, PACKZ Max is a prepress system that combines all imaging operations within one unified environment. It enables prepress operators to edit artwork, add conventional and stochastic screens, and output fully RIPped plates in one app.
Also being demonstrated is the latest version of Hybrid Software Helix’s Mako Core with Apex. This software development kit enables developers to create applications that preview, inspect, transform, and output print files quickly, helping to shorten production cycles and boost throughput. It features GPU-native rasterization and optimized CPU-based PDF output technology.
Inkcups
Product: Helix High Throw UV Cylindrical Inkjet Printer
Booth C1215
The Helix High Throw UV Cylindrical Inkjet Printer. | Credit: Inkcups
Live demos of the Helix High Throw will run throughout the show. The demonstrations will highlight the UV inkjet printer’s ability to decorate complex cylindrical products such as bowls and stemless wine glasses with full-color graphics.
It features a CMYKWV plus LCLM ink palette with the option to use primer; segmented software-controlled UV curing; an automatic, programmable tooling fixture; and product profile sensing.
“The Helix High Throw represents a significant advancement in cylindrical UV printing because it expands the range of products manufacturers and decorators can print without sacrificing quality,” Gregory Harwood, director of digital product management and global service at Inkcups, said in a statement. “Its high throw technology compensates for height variations of up to 15mm, allowing users to decorate challenging items such as stepped tumblers, handled drinkware, sports equipment, and other irregularly shaped products with vibrant, full-color, 360-degree graphics. It opens new opportunities for brands and print providers to take on applications that were previously difficult or impossible with conventional cylindrical printers.”
Mikkelsen Innovation
Product: FASTSEWN Automated Sewing and Cutting System
Booth C1042
Live demos of the Pinnacle Award-winning FASTSEWN automated sewing and cutting system will take place at Mikkelsen Innovation’s booth. Not only does the flatbed CNC offer automated sewing, but it can laser cut one or more layers of sewn textiles as they’re held in place by a vacuum system.
“Almost every step in textile graphics production has been automated and digitalized, while sewing has remained mostly manual,” Steen Mikkelsen, founder and CEO of Mikkelsen Innovation, said in a statement. “With the FASTSEWN StitchNCut system, sewing and laser cutting run as one fully integrated automated process, so the cutter operator can now also finish the sewing in the same step. That means soft signage producers no longer depend on hiring skilled sewing operators to increase their production. They also gain the freedom to produce curved and complex geometries that are difficult to sew by hand.”
The FASTSEWN Automated Sewing and Cutting System. | Credit: Mikkelson Innovation
Kalie VanDewater is senior content editor at NAPCO Media.
