PRINTING United Expo Launches in Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas! PRINTING United Expo 2026 kicked off this morning with an excited crowd eager to hit the Expo show floor spanning one million square feet and teeming with the latest technologies across all print sectors. 

Can't make it this year? Don't worry, what happens in Vegas doesn't have to stay in Vegas, here are our key takeaways from Day One.

Day One Takeaways: Dan Marx

In the early hours the Expo here in Las Vegas, I had the chance to view at least part of the massive Expo floor. While there is much to be seen during these three days, I'm seeing three key trends I plan to explore more deeply.

Automation is becoming Essential: As a term, automation is rather general, and for this trend, that's kind of the point. There are so many kinds of automation — be it mechanical, in software, and increasing strategies utilizing AI — all pointing toward a common end point, which is the ability to do more, more effectively, in less time, in ways that bring better quality and profitability, while even gaining a competitive edge and creating points of differentiation. From wide-format OEMs including Canon, Mimaki, Durst and other, automation has become a mantra, an attractive selling point for wide-format PSPs seeking to do more with less.

While the investment in automation often begin as an effort to address labor challenges often result in additional benefits, many of which you can find in the paragraph above. It is important to consider that many of the systems used in wide-format are, to a great degree, increasing their inherent automation as they are refined to be faster, more reliable, better-thought-out.

Easier use can being stronger performance. | Credit: Wide-format Impressions

Ease of Use is Easier: Another trend that stems from a desire to reduce labor challenges is greater ease of use. Simply put, if a machine (or software) is as easy to use as possible, then that solution can be operated by a wider range of employees, or to make finding employees easier. In yesterday's Media Event, the growing priority OEMs on making their solutions as easy to use as possible (without also dumbing-down what they are capable of) was vastly apparent, and that's a good thing.

Changes in printing technology, and a resulting move from "craft" to "activity," have changed the industry, and the wide-format segment, to the core. Operating, say, a press, is no longer a task that requires years to learn and perfect. In some cases, and for some applications, training an operator may take little time at all. Beyond the ease of building proficiency, ease of use can also result in reduced spoilage, less waste, and more.

Why be normal? Stretching capabilities can bring higher-value work. | Credit: Wide-format Impressions

Higher Value Printing is the Goal: As certain wide-format applications have become more commoditized, PSPs of all stripes are seeking to produce higher-value print as a way to escape pricing traps and differentiate from the competition. In many cases, they are doing so by using expanding color sets, including dimensional or textured printing, adding fabrication and greater finishing capability, and looking past their "bread-and-butter" applications toward niche markets and more specialized applications.

If there is one trend I'm most interested in, it is this. The wide-format segment continues to grow and expand in possibility an capability, and I believe PSPs who don't have their eyes on their evolution -- their "next" -- may be doing themselves a great disservice./

Day One Takeaways: Gabby Houck

New Equipment to keep an eye out for 

Day 1 had exciting equipment releases right off the bat from Vanguard Digital, MultiCam, and HP.

Vanguard Digital: To kick off the show, Vanguard  unveiled its brand-new flatbed printer, The Cumberland. In today's fast and demanding market, the Cumberland handles everything from signage and displays to décor and industrial applications.

Some key features of the Cumberland includes:

• Advanced automation.
• Easy and quick material handling.
• Print speeds of up to 6,588 sq. ft./hr. and 164 boards per hour.
• HyperVQ, Vanguard’s newly developed Printhead Array engineered specifically for Cumberland, with up to three rows of Kyocera printheads for exceptional productivity and image quality.

MultiCam: MultiCam also had an eventful Day 1 with the launch of its next generation STRATA One Routing technology. Featuring an updated operating system and controller, the router is designed to help manufacturers simplify production, reduce downtime, and achieve consistent results.

Stuart Fox, president and CEO of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, commented in a press release, "Manufacturers are under constant pressure to do more with less, which is why, with the development of STRATA One, we’ve focused on creating a router that makes production simpler and easier to manage. The router streamlines workflows, reduces complexity for operators, and helps customers achieve consistent results every day. 

HP: And rounding out the day was HP with the reveal of its Large Format integrated AI production solution. This solutions brings together cloud and edge intelligence at scale. It pairs new AI capabilities in HP PrintOS Production Hub with the HP Latex R530 AI Printer — the first compact, all-in-one rigid-and-flexible large-format printer powered by both cloud and on-edge AI — to extend intelligence across the production journey, from order intake to output, helping print service providers simplify operations, reduce errors and unlock new opportunities with every print.

The platform is designed to evolve beyond a one-time hardware upgrade, with new cloud- and edge-based AI capabilities rolling out over time to help PSPs build an increasingly connected production workflow.

Even though the show floor wrapped for the day at 5, the excitement didn't stop there. Attendees were invited to keep the energy going at Zouk Night Club for the opening night party. The event was equipped with a live DJ, electric violin, and unforgettable entertainment and comradery for the industry to gather and reflect on the first day and toast to more to come.

PRINTING United Alliance, the industry association that presents the annual PRINTING United Expo gains strength thorough member support. Join to make a positive difference in printing!

Mark your calendar! The 2027 PRINTING United Expo will be in Las Vegas, September 14-16. Be there!