The What’s Happening October 2019 feature covers Canon’s large-format printer app and a new dye-sub printer from Epson. We also report on Shutterfly’s new CEO and SGIA’s Product of the Year winners. Rounding it out is a look at how Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige paper brought the work of the earliest street photographers back to live.
What’s Happening October 2019
Canon Launches Large-Format Printers App
According to a Canon USA survey, issued by Ipsos, Americans feel posters (46%) and banners (41%) are more influential than magazine websites (37%) and podcasts (36%) for campaigns and causes. Due to this trend, Canon launched the Canon Large-Format Printer app.
“Canon is committed to offering time-saving solutions and implementing intuitive platforms for sharing knowledge.” said Shinichi Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon USA, Inc. “The new Canon Large-Format Printer app provides a streamlined user experience for customers to get the best return on investment for their Canon device, as well as have expert knowledge to tap into at their fingertips.”
The app keeps users updated and informed about their imagePrograf large-format printer. In addition, both current and future users can explore the world of imagePrograf through this latest application.
Canon Large-Format Printer app users can easily navigate through its mobile interface. The platform also gives them the ability to register a printer to receive customized updates. In addition to real-time updates, users also have access to paper profiles, firmware updates, software updates, tutorial videos and printing events all in one place.
Furthermore, the interface gives them the ability to research all of Canon’s large-format printers and software. It also provides access to educational as well as marketing, how-to and tutorial videos.
Additionally, with the Canon Large-Format Printer app, users are able to customize their experience by favorite products, videos and information. The app also includes information featuring national trade shows, classes, workshops and Canon Live Learning events. Further, via the app, users can sign up for these events at their convenience.
Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige Paper Preserves Historic Street Photography
A historic photographic exhibition took place during Street Photo Milano 2019. A collection of photographs not seen in more than 70 years came back to life on Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige paper. The public exhibition allowed thousands to admire the art of the brothers Evgeny and Yakov Henkin—pioneers of street photography. 
Evgeny and Yakov Henkin were born in the Russian Empire in 1900 and 1903, respectively. In the aftermath of the disruptions of 1917, Evgeny moved to Berlin, and Yakov settled in Leningrad. Despite the distance that separated them, a passion for photography animated both of their lives. Consequently, the two brothers documented life in the 1930s in Berlin and Leningrad. They captured the gestures, the smiles and the eyes of ordinary people encountered in the streets—in a style anticipating the genre of street photography as we know it today.
Consequently, the Henkins left behind passionate portraits of two very different cities between two World Wars. Unfortunately, neither survived the tragic events of their time and none of the photos were printed. However, early in the 2000s, Yakov Henkin’s family discovered several boxes with old negatives. Today, the nonprofit Henkin Brothers Archive Association holds the copyright to the images.
The recovery of the photographs was possible thanks to digitization. For the Milan exhibition the photos were printed on Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige paper. The fine art paper emulates the aesthetic look and feel of traditional darkroom prints. Engineered to guarantee durability, it is particularly suitable for the reproduction of black-and-white images.
Shutterfly President and Chief Executive Officer Hired
Shutterfly appointed Ryan O’Hara as president and CEO, as well as a director on the Shutterfly Inc. board.
“Following the acquisition of Lifetouch last year, Shutterfly is poised to continue to deliver growth in all three divisions and achieve the opportunities afforded to us through the ongoing integration of Lifetouch. Ryan has a proven track record of driving transformation through profitable growth by building high performing teams, driving portfolio business transformation and invigorating brands,” said William Lansing, chairman of the Shutterfly board.
“In the search process, we were particularly drawn to Ryan’s accomplishments in both the digital and manufacturing space, both of which are key priorities for the continued growth of the Shutterfly business.”
O’Hara is a seasoned executive with experience across a range of industries. He joins Shutterfly from Move Inc./Realtor.com. There he led a successful turnaround in just over four years as CEO. The company more than doubled traffic, conversion and revenue during his tenure. He also built a new senior management team; recharged marketing through brand investment and multichannel execution; and also drove digital product innovation across all platforms with a specific emphasis on mobile.
Previously, O’Hara served as president of Content, Distribution and Sales for the Madison Square Garden Company. He helped maximize growth and positioned a restructuring of the business. In addition, he led the national cable TV business and partner marketing and advertising sales, while developing and implementing an overall strategic vision to maximize the company’s technological capabilities.
Christopher North, former Shutterfly president and CEO, left the company in August to return to the UK with his family.
SGIA 2019 Product of the Year Winners
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association announced the winners of the 2019 Product of the Year competition. The winning products rose to the top of a field of more than 200 entries in 72 categories. Moreover, all the winning products all manufactured by PRINTING United exhibitors and available for sale in 2019.
“Our competition is juried, and judges are scoring entries so they can compare products objectively,” said Ray Weiss, director, Digital Print Programs, SGIA. “For example, in the digital output device categories, winners were based on measurements of test prints. This is the only competition I know of that tells companies the percentage of Adobe RGB gamut a printer can hit.” 
The measurement reports were produced by the Sonoco Institute at Clemson University. Furthermore, they follow the same format as SGIA’s digital equipment evaluations. They will be on display with the entries in the Awards Gallery at PRINTING United (October 23–25, Dallas, Texas).
The 2019 judges included Scott Baxter, GAM Graphics and Marketing; Conrad Coe, GAM Graphics and Marketing; Dan Gillespie, Alder Technology; Keith Prichard, TIMSCO; Scott Schoppert, Printing Impressions; Cas Shiver, Sundog Productions; Tony Tribby, Dead Bat Designs and Kent Walker, Walker Supply Company.
Following is an abbreviated list of winners, include printers and media. A complete listing can be found at sgia.org.
SGIA 2019 Product of the Year Winners Capsule
Digital Press
Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division, Fujifilm J Press 750S
Media
Adhesive Back (not vinyl): Drytac, Polar Chrome
Adhesive Back Vinyl: Drytac, ReTac Textures
Banner (non-textile): Ultraflex Systems Inc., FloorFlex Plus
Dye-Sub rigid material: Duraluxe Inc., Satin, the New Textured Semi-Gloss Aluminum Blank from Duraluxe
Dye-Sub transfer paper: Sawgrass, TruePix Classic
Films: Drytac, ViziPrint Illuminate
Heat Transfer Material Cuttable: Chemica US, Quickflex Revolution
Heat Transfer Printable: Insta Graphic Systems, SiliconeX Custom Heat
Roll-to-Roll
Direct Disperse Ink on Textile: Roland DGA, Texart RT-640M
Dye-Sublimation on Metal: Epson, Epson SureColor F6370
Solvent/Latex (over 80 inches): Mutoh America, ValueJet 2638X
Solvent/Latex (under 80 inches): Roland DGA, TrueVIS VG2
UV (over 80 inches): EFI, EFI VUTEk 5r+ Superwide Roll-to-Roll LED Printer
UV (under 80 inches): Canon Solutions America, Océ Colorado 1650
Single-Pass Printer
Durst Image Technology US, Delta SPC 130
UV Hybrid
$100,000–$500,000: EFI, EFI VUTEk 32h Superwide Hybrid LED Printer
Flatbed High-Volume Production Class: Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, VKL300D
UV/Latex Flatbed
Under $70,000: LogoJet Inc., LogoJet Uvx90R 24×36 inches
$100,000–$200,000: HP Inc., HP Latex R Printer Series
$200,000–$500,000: Agfa, Jeti Mira 2732 HS LM LED
Under $100,000: Mimaki USA, JFX200-2513 EX
+White ($100,000–$200,000): Canon Solutions America, Océ Arizona 1380 XT
+White ($200,000–$500,000): HP Inc., HP Latex R Printer Series
UV/Latex Hybrid (under $100,000)
Mutoh America, ValueJet 1638UH
Epson SureColor F6370 Dye-Sublimation Printer Joins F-Series Line
Epson America introduced the next-gen SureColor F6370 44-inch dye-sublimation printer. With speeds up to 680 square feet per hour, the printer produces images for promotional products, soft signage, cut-and-sew fabrics and more.
The SureColor F6370 comes with new Epson Edge Print workflow software, featuring an Adobe PostScript 3 engine. It also includes a built-in cutter for roll-to-sheet convenience. In addition, an optional take-up reel system allows for unattended printing.
The printer features an Epson Edge dashboard; the remote printing management software offers an easy-to-use interface. It includes detailed views of current activity, ink supply levels and important warnings or errors. It also allows users to manage the status of 10 printers, including all SureColor F-series, SureColor F-series direct-to-garment and SureColor S-Series wide-format printers.
In addition, the Epson Edge Print workflow software employs an Adobe Postscript 3 engine. It provides job nesting, custom spot color, project libraries, pattern repeats and the ability to import new media settings. Furthermore, it offers the option for printshops to edit media settings and manage projects remotely.
Also featured are a Epson PrecisionCore TFP printhead and Epson UltraChrome DS ink packs, with 10% more ink than previously and high density black ink.
Moreover, touting additional hardware features to streamline workflow, the F6370 leverages new roll media adapters to provide support for 2-inch and 3-inch roll media cores and media up to 170mm. The new roll media adapters lock into place to prevent unwanted roll movement.
The Epson SureColor F6370 standard edition printer sells for $8,495.
