As the inaugural recipient of the Geoff Selig Scholarship, awarded at the 2024 ProPrint Awards, Breen Printing graphic prepress coordinator Jacinta Allen used the opportunity to travel to PacPrint in Sydney, then Japan to visit leading suppliers and explore the future of printing.

In this article, she shares highlights from her time in Japan:  

Canon Production Printing

After a couple of days adjusting and sightseeing in Tokyo, I officially began my study tour with a visit to the Canon Customer Experience Centre.

I met my host, Tiger, in the afternoon, who gave me a guided tour of the facility. We had a great conversation about current and emerging trends in the print industry, as well as the types of printed materials that are popular in both Japan and Australia.

Between chatting and asking lots of questions, I mentioned I wasn’t as familiar with inkjet printing since I predominantly use a toner machine. In response, Tiger and one of the technicians gave me an in-depth demonstration of machines they offer, highlighting the unique strengths of each machine. I had the chance to see live demonstrations, handle print samples, and learn more about the processes behind achieving such impressive print quality.

Ricoh

My second company visit was to the incredible Ricoh Technology Centre. The visit began with warm introductions and a photo, followed by a presentation by Yuki.

Yuki, Mitsu, and Ayako had prepared drinks and snacks, ensuring I felt comfortable and welcome.

At Ricoh, I learnt about their company values, including the Japanese term ‘Gemba’ and how important it is to Ricoh to work with their customers to find solutions for specific needs.

Following the presentation, I was guided through a range of both inkjet and toner machines by various team members, each explaining the unique features of the models.

After a quick coffee break, Junpei delivered another interactive presentation, during which we were constantly getting up and moving around the room to explore different machine features – it was hands-on, informative, and a lot of fun!

Printing Museum Tokyo

The third stop of the study tour was the Printing Museum Tokyo, which showcased the rich history and evolution of printing in Japan – going back as far as the 700s!

The main exhibition was arranged chronologically and highlighted the profound influence printing has had on Japanese society through the Ancient Times, Early Modern Times, Modern Times, and Present Age. It highlighted how printing shaped various aspects of life, including politics, religion, education, art, and entertainment. There was plenty of information written in English, but thanks to trusty Google Translate I could read a little deeper!

During my visit, there was also an exhibition titled The Art of Black: Gutenberg and German Publication Printing Culture. Although photography wasn’t allowed, the display was beautifully curated and focused on Gutenberg’s invention of letterpress printing.

Konica Minolta

Next stop was the Konica Minolta Customer Engagement Centre, where I was welcomed by Ayuka and Ken. They introduced me to the fantastic team who would guide me through the day.

We began with an impressive showcase of printed materials and products produced on Konica Minolta machines(I spotted a Revolution Print sample which was super cool!)

As we were browsing the samples I learnt about Goshuinchō, a traditional Japanese stamp book used at temples and shrines. Then to my surprise I was gifted with my very own! Such a thoughtful gift I will cherish.

The tour continued with a walkthrough of their printing technologies, including inkjet, toner, and embellishment machines. Michiyo demonstrated the foiling process and shared her beautifully foiled business card that she made for herself! I also received a lovely sample pack to take home.

We wrapped up in the meeting room, where Kenny presented Konica Minolta’s background, values, and innovations in digital label printing. A truly inspiring and informative visit.

Fujifilm

The final stop on the study tour was the Fujifilm Business Innovation Ebina Center – and what a knowledge-packed day it was!

We kicked off with an introduction to Future Edge and an overview of the Innovation Print Awards. Afterwards, I had the chance to view – and hold – the award-winning printed pieces on display.

Next, we headed to the demo room, but not before getting a firsthand look at Revoria XMF PressReady, Fujifilm’s workflow software that connects and controls all their machines. Nifty!

In the demo room, we explored the machines behind those stunning print samples. Two standouts for me were the clear toner, which left a watermark effect and then the pressure adhesive toner, which was peelable! I’d never seen that before!

From there, we toured through the manufacturing line. It was incredible to see machines being put together. It was inspiring to see so many women working in manufacturing!

Back in the presentation room, I was shown three presentations that delved into the Revoria XMF PressReady software, digital marketing initiatives, and Fujifilm’s commitment to sustainability.

It was a fantastic last stop on the study tour journey!

Lessons from the journey

This study tour has been incredibly valuable to both my personal and professional development. It challenged me in many ways and pushed me well outside my comfort zone – in the best possible way.

I’m so grateful to everyone who helped organise the trip, as well as those I had the pleasure of meeting along the way. The insights, experiences, and connections I gained have been truly unforgettable.

To the 2025 Emerging 50 finalists – I encourage you to apply for the Geoff Selig Scholarship. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will expand your perspective and inspire your future in print.

The Geoff Selig Scholarship is dedicated to former IVE Group chairman Geoff Selig and his passion for encouraging emerging talent within the industry. The scholarship provides a financial value of up to $10,000 for personal and professional development and is funded jointly by ProPrint and IVE Group.

This article first appeared in the August issue of ProPrint magazine

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