The International Graphic Arts Show IGAS2015 was successfully held on Sept. 11-16, 2015, in Tokyo. The role and functions of print exhibitions for the printing industry are discussed from the viewpoint of the exhibition organizer of IGAS. It is found that that they play important roles, allowing printers and venders to study and match their business needs by offering a wide range of information relating the print and communication business. In addition, related facts and data such as the power distribution of the major print exhibitions in the world, history of print exhibition in Japan, and issues and future prospects of IGAS are described with comments.

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This article explains the recent technology trends in digital printing technology seen at IGAS2015. The development of digital presses has taken two directions: large⁄high-speed and high-value models. A large digital press supports up to the B1 size, and the printing speed of a reel-fed press is up to 200 mpm. On the other hand, a small digital press can produce short runs and various printed materials using special color and long-sheet print option. The development of digital printing and⁄or its peripheral technology is remarkable. In this market, the use of digital printers has increased, but offset printing presses are still in use in many printing applications even now. It is important for us to think the change of "the state of print business" by using the digital printing technology.

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IGAS2015 greatly changed the character of this type of exhibition. I believe that the main points can be summarized as follows.
1. Productivity improvement of small lots, with short delivery times
Digital printing is considered a single method. With conventional printing, a large productivity improvement was achieved by a technological change to shorten the make-ready time after 2008. However, this technique has become universal and is now the standard for a press. I predict that the next technique will involve maintenance and inspection. When this area, which it is hard to see, is improved, I believe that further improvements can be expected.
2. High added value
Primarily, solutions to improve design characteristics in conjunction with post-press work have attracted attention, including varnish processing and foiling. Second, I feel that numerous actions to promote environmental harmony will again attract attention. Environmental harmony is an important factor in improving the branding of a company.
3. Offset domain expansion
Printing on a paper medium has been the mainstream with offset presses, but IGAS2015 showed the increase in the use of flexo for soft materials. This tendency will continue in the future.
A tendency similar to that seen in IGAS2015 will be seen in drupa2016 this year

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The value of printed material is not very high. Chirashi with hold and cut or books with wireless binding, or even package have value after finishing process. Postpress work has evolved with CIP3 and JDF connections to develop the most efficient production workflow. We now see the value added effect in postpress work. Digital enhancements like inkjet overprinting vanish with an embossing effect, and digital metal foiling can make printed material more valuable because the consumer will be impressed and more likely to obtain it. The on-demand and shortrun capability of digital postpress equipment without the time consuming effort of making a plate or die improves the profitability of production. Digital finishing is based on 3D CAD data. Thus, it is more accurate and reliable. Personalization or customization will become a key factor for further marketing innovation.

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The Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) is a 113-year premier state university with recognized excellence in engineering and technology, applied sciences, industrial education and the arts, committed to become a model higher education institute at par with leading universities in the ASEAN region. The University also provides technology transfer in the countryside and assists in the development of small-and-medium industries in the country. One of the most prevailing industries that the University caters is the printing industry since 1945 on manpower development and supply of printing technologists through the Graphic Arts and Printing Technology (GAPT) course. To contribute to the national development through the printing industry, the Philippine Center for Print Excellence Foundations, Inc. (PCPEF) collaborated with the University. The PCPEF grants scholarships and internships for deserving GAPT students, donated machines to enhance the students' skills and conference room for trainings and seminars. The University, on the other hand, assists the industry through its research and development of ergonomic machines for printing, paper and ink quality, and waste disposal⁄recycling systems.

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Printing is an integral part of all manufacturing, banking and other business, as well as public education and administration services. In the Philippines, the printing industry accounts for 6.2% of the total manufacturing establishments, with generated revenues worth P34.2 billion. However, a major drawback of this industry is the solid and liquid waste streams it generates and their negative impact to the environment. There is also a lack of awareness on the protection of workers' health from solvent emissions used during the process. Typically, the composition of waste streams from a printing press is complex, consisting of dyes, pigments, binders, and cleaning solvents. It is highly colored and often contaminated with organics and heavy metals. Therefore, it is not recommended to directly dispose the wastes into receiving streams without treatment. But currently, there are no clear guidelines or best management practices established for waste disposal and pollution prevention in the Philippines printing industry. The proposed study surveys the current waste disposal practices and awareness of owners and workers on the composition of waste streams. The data will be used to propose possible treatment and recycling pathways that the industry can adopt to reduce environmental impacts and encourage sustainability.

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The color constancy for process color printing was maximized. A color inconstancy index (CII) was defined as the color difference between the CIELAB values under D50 and the corresponding colors under D50 that were transformed from tristimulus values under other illuminants, applying CIECAM02. Two methods were evaluated for Japan Color 2007. One was directly minimizing the CII. The other was controlling the amount of black ink where no CII information was given. It was found that the maximum black method was effective as a direct search method. When the illumination condition is unknown, the maximum black method might be the best way to maximize the color constancy for process color printing.

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Paper-based electrostatic power generators are being developed to supply low-power consumption and electrostatically induced electric power conversion from environmental noises in the same device. The purpose of this research is to clarify the relationship between vibration damping and the mechanical properties of paper in order to realize efficient power generation by preventing vibration damping. Vibration damping was evaluated by measuring the sound power level of acoustic waves traveling through various types of commercially available paper in the thickness direction. The resulting sound power level was not related to the in-plane specific Young's modulus of paper. However, it decreased with increasing paper thickness because longitudinal waves being transmitted through paper lose vibration energy along the traveling distance because of compression in the thickness direction. Furthermore, laboratory sheets were subjected to concurrent measurements of the sound power level and in-plane Young's modulus with an ultrasonic tester. The in-plane specific Young's modulus was confirmed to be a key parameter affecting the sound power level for the laboratory sheets because the propagating surface waves travel in the in-plane direction and they were transverse waves with in-plane compression. Regarding papermaking materials, there was no difference in vibration damping tendency between hardwood and softwood bleached kraft pulps.

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