Benny Landa says he amassed $687m (€450m) in Nanographic press orders at this year’s drupa, after some 200,000 visitors attended his live demos over the 11 day show.
The nano presses, which will not be available for at least two years, promise offset quality at offset speed on offset stock, but with no makeready, no plates and variable data printing.
The orders are more intentions to buy when Landa gets the nano presses up to the specification he has promised.
Landa’s five daily theatre presentations were fully booked in advance, attracting 40,000 attendees, and its drupa stand saw thousands viewing the 20 live press demos each day.
The crowd interest translated into orders from around the globe, with several major Australian players including Blue Star and Hero Print following the trend.
Online retailer Cimpress also didn't waste any time in ordering Landa's machines, sealing the deal to purchase 20 presses on the opening day of drupa.
In typical bouyant mood Lnda, who clebrated his 70th birthday at the show says, "drupa 2016 will be remembered as the inflection point in the industry's transition from mechanical printing to digital. In the past, digital printing vendors had to try to convince the market that digital is the way to go. Previously it was a 'push' selling motion.
"Now, for the first time, the situation has reversed. There is a very strong 'pull' from the market, driven by both customers and brand-owners, who are now demanding digital printing. It seems that the market leaders – in packaging, commercial printing and in publishing – have come to the realization that they simply must go digital.”
A launch date for Landa’s nano presses is yet to be determined, and industry analysts estimate printers ordering the machines will be on the waiting list for a further two years.
The first beta site machines are slated for installation at the middle to end of 2017, with the commercial launch to follow.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter