Wide format continues to evolve rapidly in speed, image quality, application versatility, and automation.
According to Paul Whitehead, business unit manager – sign and display at Currie Group, there’s strong momentum in hybrid and roll-to-roll platforms that enable printers to do more with a single investment. Features such as white ink, clear coatings, and advanced finishing are also expanding creative potential.
“At Currie Group, we work closely with global leaders like EFI, Canon, and Epson to bring these innovations to market quickly, ensuring our customers can adapt and stay competitive,” Whitehead said.
“It’s not just about supplying equipment – it’s about creating a partnership where we help them identify new opportunities and maximise their investment by offering the best after sales service in the local market.”
Integration and innovation
The integration of productivity and flexibility has really stepped up, according to Whitehead.
“Canon’s UVgel technology, for example, has changed the game in roll-to-roll with consistent quality at high speed and a growing range of applications. While EFI’s push with high productivity hybrid and roll-to-roll machines also stands out, particularly with the adoption of Ricoh Gen 6 heads that offer both speed and image quality.”
Beyond print, finishing innovation from companies such as Elitron and NeoltFactory has brought automation and precision cutting into sharper focus, removing bottlenecks downstream.
“The past two years have been less about single features and more about how well end-to-end workflows integrate,” Whitehead added.
The role of AI
Automation is already reshaping production environments by reducing touchpoints, minimising waste, and improving throughput. From automated job nesting and colour management to robotic cutting and finishing, we’re seeing print shops run more efficiently with fewer manual interventions.
“AI is starting to influence predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and workflow optimisation,” Whitehead notes.
“At Currie Group, we see automation as a way to free up operators to focus on higher-value work while ensuring consistency and reliability. The challenge is making sure automation integrates seamlessly into existing operations, which is where our support and expertise are so important.”
Sustainability takes the lead
Sustainability is also a major driver now.
“We’re seeing greener ink formulations, lower energy consumption in curing systems, and substrates that are recyclable or bio-based. Canon’s UVgel, for instance, uses significantly less ink and energy while reducing waste. EFI continues to develop platforms that run with LED curing for lower power usage,” Whitehead said.
“Customers want to align their production with the sustainability goals of their clients, so at Currie Group, we focus on supplying technology that delivers measurable environmental benefits without compromising performance. We also see sustainability as tied to efficiency: less waste, better uptime, and longer-lasting machines all contribute to a smaller footprint.”
What’s next?
According to Whitehead, there’s a strong pipeline of updates across the Currie Group partner portfolio.
“EFI recently refreshed its Pro series with the latest Ricoh Gen 6 printheads, boosting productivity and image quality and launching a new mid-range hybrid the M3h which will fit perfectly into our local market,” he said.
Meanwhile, Canon continues to enhance its Colorado platform with modular upgrades, enabling customers to scale their capabilities over time.
“This includes white ink and expanded application versatility through features like FLXture and soft signage,” Whitehead added.
“Stay tuned for a big reveal from Canon.”
This article first appeared in the October issue of ProPrint magazine
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