TAGA Presents

TAGA Presents features top industry thinkers giving you insights into technology breakthroughs and impacts in printing, graphic communications, and related fields. Our July event examines how the pandemic has changed the printing industry, developments in textile printing, opportunities for physical automation and robotics, and applications of artificial intelligence.

For over 70 years, the Technical Association of the Graphics Arts (TAGA), now part of PRINTING United Alliance, has been a worldwide forum to disseminate information on technology research and innovation. While the method of dissemination has changed to include virtual events such as TAGA Presents, the mission remains unchanged. Join us as TAGA examines another group of diverse technologies and explores their challenges and opportunities.

Learn more about TAGA and becoming a member.

You Will Learn:

What is required to plan and execute a print automation strategy—one company’s experience
Why and how artificial intelligence is changing the speed, accuracy, and resource needs of industry processes
The difference between artificial intelligence and common automation
Changes in textile printing technology that have created opportunities for print suppliers
At least 10 ways the pandemic has likely permanently changed print production

Who Should Attend:

Print executives responsible for technology and innovation
Product managers, scientists, and researchers at equipment and consumable suppliers
Research and technical staff at graphic arts institute worldwide
University professors and academic researchers
Students majoring in graphic communications, packaging, and related fields

Format:

TAGA Presents will take place in two 90-minute sessions over two days via an easy-to-use virtual meeting platform. Attendees can participate via internet access or phone and from the comfort of their own workspace. While the presentations have been recorded in advance to ensure optimal sound and image quality, there will be a live question and answer session following each presentation. Specific login instructions will be provided upon registration.

Dates & Time:

Tuesday, July 13 and
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
2:00–3:30PM EST

Location:

It’s a virtual event, from your desktop

Fee:

Free to all!

2021/07/13 14:00:00

A registration link for the event will be coming at a later date.

Recordings:

Following the event, recordings from TAGA Presents will be available at TAGA’s website (www.taga.org) for 30 days, subsequently becoming a members-only resource.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 2:00–3:30 p.m. EDT

The Evolution of Digital Textile Printing

Michael Sanders, Director of Printable Textiles and Finishing Technology, TVF

What was once a novelty has become the future of textile printing. Developments in the speed and flexibility of all types of digital printing, along with associated ink technologies, are causing a restructuring of the global supply chain. The benefits are enticing—better resource efficiency, production agility, and sustainability. This review examines state-of-the-art technology, the impact of fabric type, obstacles and accelerants to growth, and new business opportunities.

How the Pandemic Changed the Industry

Sean Smyth, Print and Packaging Consultant, and David Zwang, Principal Consultant, Zwang & Company

There is widespread agreement that some aspects of business have been forever changed by the pandemic. What does the “new normal” in the print business look like? Two leading observers of our industry, representing both North American and European perspectives, offer at least 10 permanent changes wrought by COVID, from virtual press OKs to Cloud-based MIS systems. Find out how companies reimagined their operations as a result of the pandemic.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 2:00–3:30 p.m. EDT

Automating the Production Process: A Case Study

Speaker TBD

Too few companies have an automation strategy, actively striving for a planned future state that reduces manual intervention and improves processes for customers. The ability to envision and carry out such a plan increasingly differentiates companies. This case study reveals why one printing company made automation a central tenet of its business strategy, how the strategy is being carried out, and the positive impact on its business. Successful automation requires much more than the buying the latest equipment, as explained in this enlightening session.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Printing Industry

Robert Joseph, President, Team MindShift

“Can machines think?” That question asked by mathematician Alan Turing in 1950 set in motion the drive for artificial intelligence (AI). Today smart machines are capable of not only performing tasks like evaluating color that typically require human intelligence, they can also perform those tasks better over time. We’ll examine what AI is and how it will increasingly change process efficiency in the print industry. What are the challenges and benefits that come with using AI to amplify human intelligence? A computer and data scientist helps us prepare for the future.

Meet the Presenters

Dr. Robert Joseph, President, Team MindShift

Robert is currently a practicing data scientist in the Internet of Things, an educator, and head of Team Mindshift, a technology solutions company that is transforming the learning process. Previously he was the director of industrial strategy for Stanley Black & Decker where he saw firsthand what works in Industry 4.0 initiatives. His career has spanned supply chain analysis and improvement, software development, and teaching at the university level. Robert holds a patent for an internet radio DJ system and has developed state-of-the-art technology in online learning systems, phone apps, and desktop applications. Robert holds a B.S. and M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in electrical engineering and an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon in computer science, with a minor in AI.

Michael Sanders, Director of Printable Textiles and Finishing Technology, TVF

Michael has been part of the textile industry for over 40 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in dyeing, printing and finishing both cotton and polyester fabrics. His involvement and work with digital textile printing goes back to the early days of the discipline’s existence. Today, Michael sits on boards, expert panels and gives lectures nationally. Michael was a previous co-owner and served as Vice President of Pacific Coast Fabrics, which was acquired by TVF in 2017. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Cal-Pacific Dyeing and Finishing Corp. Michael received his technical textile training from Sandoz in Switzerland and Bayer in Germany.

Dr. Sean Smyth, Print and Packaging Consultant and Journalist

Sean Smyth has spent over 30 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He has also owned and managed printing and packaging businesses in the UK. Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. He has written books and market studies on the future of print technology and digital print, many for Smithers for which he serves as a print and packaging analyst. He regularly writes for the trade press and speaks at industry events. Sean has both a Ph.D. in chemistry and an MBA degree.

David Zwang, Principal Consultant, Zwang & Company

David Zwang specializes in process analysis and strategic development of firms in the fields of information publishing, design, premedia, and printing across the globe. He began in the graphic arts as a commercial photographer in the late 1960’s and has since founded several premedia and printing operations. His experience includes expertise in cross media publishing, with an extensive background in digital, offset, flexography, and gravure printing processes.

Since the early 1990’s he has consulted with many end users and manufacturers in the industry on a wide variety of issues. He has developed many industry training courses and written countless articles for trade publications. Dave sits on international standards boards and is currently the Chairman of the Ghent Workgroup (GWG).

Prior Session Videos

Did you miss the presentations from the March series? We recorded them and they are available. Please fill out the below and we will send you a link to the video page.

Upon pressing the submit button, you will immediately be redirected to the videos from the March event.