Editor's Note: PRINTING United is clearly the biggest show in the industry these days, and many IRgA members attend. One was Tom Taubenheim, who also is a board member. Tom sent us this report from the event.
By Tom Taubenheim, A/E Graphics & Epic Color, Brookfield, WI
The 2025 Printing United Expo in Orlando was an incredible resource for any print or graphics shop looking to expand services, upgrade equipment, or gain new knowledge about every aspect of running a business—from front office operations to production on the floor.
AI was a major theme leading up to and throughout the show. The dedicated AI Learning Area drew a lot of attention, and many vendors presented ways their technologies could help shops like ours integrate AI into different parts of the business. It's clear that artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the print industry's future, not just in automation but in sales, marketing, and workflow management.
Beyond the technology, PRINTING United does a great job of fostering connection. The member lounge and networking zones were super and I had some conversations and made a couple of new connections. I also attended several educational sessions, including one on improving sales, which provided some good ideas I can bring back to our own operation.
Canon once again made a dominant statement as the show's title sponsor, drawing the largest crowds with its large space. The highlight was the debut of the Colorado XL-Series, an 11-foot-wide roll-to-roll and hybrid flatbed printer featuring several industry-first innovations. Its patented media handling system ensures perfect accuracy without shifting, and the new ink set combined with a fixed LED array enables ultra-fast printing with zero dry time. Canon's commitment to the large-format graphics market is stronger than ever, and this new platform shows they're all-in on leading the way.
The show overall reflected tremendous momentum across all sectors of print. According to the PRINTING United Alliance, the 2025 Expo hosted over 30,000 registered attendees from 104 countries and 838 exhibitors across every print segment from commercial and packaging to apparel and wide-format graphics. More than 100 educational sessions, hundreds of product launches, and record show-floor sales underscored the energy and opportunity driving the industry forward.
Next year's expo will be in Vegas at the end of September.