Title sponsor Canon U.S.A. literally rolled out the red carpet in the Central Hall, which led directly through the center of their booth, where the varioPRINT iX1700 inkjet press and imagePROGRAF TZ and TX Series printer launches garnered considerable attention.

Mimaki debuted four new machines: the CJV200 Series print and cut devices, the JFX200-1213 EX medium format UV-LED flatbed printer, the TS330-3200DS production hybrid digital textile printer, and the TxF300-1600 63-in.-wide Direct-to-Film (DTF) printer. How did they fit them all?

A closer look at Mimaki’s CJV200 Series print and cut device.

Signs of the Times’ sister publication Big Picture hosted a ceremony for the 2024 Women in Wide Format Awards, recognizing six outstanding women in the wide-format printing industry.

From left to right: Big Picture Editor-in-Chief Marcia Derryberry carrying the award plaque on behalf of Maggie Harlow, Signarama Downtown (Louisville, KY), who was unable to attend the expo; Kim Howell, Tiny Mammoth Graphics (Des Moines, IA); Shirley Dyson, SIGNCO (Stockton, CA); Sara Schaeffner, The Digital Frontier (Broomfield, CO); Kelly Mattingly, Signarama San Antonio NW and Downtown (San Antonio, TX); Allison Kast Eichenberg, Signarama Chandler (Chandler, AZ).

Screen Printing magazine’s 2024 Women in Screen Printing Awards ceremony immediately followed, highlighting the work and contributions of six female professionals in the screen printing industry.

From left to right: Letisha Allen, Print Perf (Lawrenceville, GA); Veronica Anderson, Okie Print Barn (Mustang, OK); Corinna Larson, Torches Design Studio (Denver, NC); Krissy Gibbons, Varsity (Fort Pierce, FL); Ella Vickerman, Twin City Tees (Minneapolis); Megan Griffith, P & M Apparel (Polk City, IA).

In the South Hall, Roland was one of a couple of exhibitors wrapping the new Tesla Cybertruck. This was the first we’d seen up close. It’s big… and pointy!

Here’s MUTOH’s newest eco-solvent printer/cutter combo, the XpertJet C641SR Pro. The company was showing a video of this machine comparing favorably with a competitor and it’s competitively priced at $6,995 for startup shops.

Well-known print-product distributor LexJet had quite the colorful, backlit-graphic booth.

Like many exhibitors, Trotec offered a wall of samples, in this case produced by their laser engraving and cutting machines.

“Print’s Not Dead” was the theme of a party at the Punk Rock Museum (see our separate photo gallery of that) the evening of Sept. 11. MADE Laboratory and 14 other sponsors came together to put on the incredibly fun event.

ST Editor-in-Chief Mark Kissling tries but fails to look punk, posing in front of a display of his favorite punk rock band, The Clash. “Death or glory!”

Extra hot sauce in one hand from the incredible Señor Barriga taco-burrito truck outside, a PRM commemorative cup in the other, ST Assistant Editor Mildred Nguyen posed in front of a wall print of DC hardcore punk legend Bad Brains.

Epson took extra steps to transform the back half of its booth into a candy store, both showcasing print samples in an immersive environment and attracting attention. Actual candy was part of the offering.

General Formulations drew a considerable crowd in the South Hall during a live demonstration of vinyl installation on various vertical surfaces.

Arlon used attendee time trials as part of its promotion of their new VITAL film product line.

Lisa Cross, senior analyst for NAPCO’s research wing, presents on a topic in the Knowledge Center.

Welcome to the end of the road. At one end of the South Hall, Printing United offered the Apparel Zone, featuring among other exhibitors, STAHLS’ straight ahead.

An epitome of old-school cool (though the fashion on the mannequins was a tad too modern), this gleaming white Cadillac convertible was parked in the very back of the Apparel Zone.

The Apparel Zone also included a “wedding chapel” and Elvis impersonator so attendees could have their portrait taken. Hope no one actually got married!

Foamboard manufacturer The Gilman Brothers Co. joined the spirit of the Las Vegas surroundings, theming their booth a “casino royal,” to which we say, “We’d like to buy an ‘e,’ please!”

New York-based Threadfast Apparel went all out for this city skyline-inspired enclosure made of digital display boards.

A coating manufacturer of aqueous, solvent/eco-solvent, latex, UV, and color-laser printable media for display graphics, point-of-sale advertising, and photo reproduction, Qué Media had one of the more unique booth constructions.

The brightly colored, high-contrast faces on the back wall supporting Brite Frame Fabricators seemed worthy of snapping a quick pic.

The Ninja Transfers ninja mascot was kind enough to strike a pose for our camera.

We leave you with this final wide shot from the South Hall. Next year PRINTING United Expo is taking place at the Orange County Convention Center, Oct. 22-24. We’ll see you there!