We will observe the standardization of print in this document, which is fundamental as we practice color management, as well as discuss the Japan Color Certification System, which becomes the most powerful tool for the standardization of print.

For the success of the standardization of print, we need to set a color-reproducing goal (we call it color reference) of CMYK data for offset-printing presses, and stabilize it. To make the standardization of print recognized, below are the main requirements:

1. Standardizing the printing environment and materials

2. Understanding the current condition of printing quality and its stabilization

3. Setting the standard color reference for offset printing presses

4. Maintaining and managing the offset printing presses, output devices and colorimeters generally used

After the completion of print standardization, color management is practiced using a color-matching procedure by adjusting every color standard of each press to the same and controlling each color quality of the printing process.

Now, we will describe the Japan Color Certification System as the most available tool for setting color reference to offset printing presses, maintaining and managing them and other output printing devices to start the standardization of print. For the companies considering the introduction of color management, especially, we strongly recommend taking advantage of acquiring the Japan Color Certification System and starting your print standardization today.

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The fact that Heidelberg's booth was not the largest, but that of HP, the leading manufacturer of digital printing systems, exhibited in the largest area, combined with the expansion of offset press manufacturers' business into digital printing, made drupa 2016 a major showcase of the presence of digital printing-related technologies in the printing market. Since then, companies have worked on development for drupa 2020, but it was first postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and finally held as a virtual exhibition. This section describes analog and digital printing systems introduced in and around the virtual.drupa 2021.

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UV printing has been used in Japan since the 1970s owing to its high productivity and added value. UV Printing uses high-pressure mercury lamps and metal halide lamps (hereafter, UV lamps) as light sources. However, as UV lamps have a higher energy demand, they are being replaced in various printing fields by UV LED light units in recent years, as these are effective in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper first compares the features of UV LED light units with that of UV lamps. Then, it discusses the specifications of UV LED light units for each printing method, and the higher output of UV LED chips, which is the main component of UV LED light units. Finally, it presents a new technology that allows LED to be used as a UV light source in printing, specifically, a heat dissipation design technology that suppresses the inhibiting action during the curing process by purging nitrogen. These technologies are expected to be of practical use, especially from the viewpoint of energy conservation.

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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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本年，5月31日より6月10日の11日間，ドイツ・デュッセルドルフ見本市会場においてdrupa 2016 (国際印刷・メディア産業展) が開催された．印刷業界における世界最大の展示会であり，4年に一度，開催されている．本展示会の位置付けは印刷技術の「将来を見せる」ところにあり，各社が最新の技術を展示する傾向が強い．前々回のdrupaではアナログ印刷機に匹敵する生産性を有するインクジェットプリンタが初めて展示され，Inkjet drupaとも称されていた．今回はインクジェットプリンタが数多くのメーカーより展示されるようになり，本格的な普及の時代に入ったことを実感させるものであった (Inkjet 3.0と一部では称される程であった)．

本稿においては各社が発表したインクジェットを中心としたデジタル印刷機を概観し，市場の技術動向を解説する．

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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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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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This paper describes the latest trends in printing-related technologies at IGAS2022. As an exhibition, although the size and number of visitors decreased, the equipment demonstrations attracted many visitors. As the first large equipment exhibition in many years, the enthusiasm of both exhibitors and visitors was palpable. One of the trends at this year's IGAS was the smart factory, which is based on automation, collaboration, and linkage. Other popular solutions were designed to increase the value of services provided by the printing business. Various solutions were introduced that not only add value to printed materials but also contribute to customers' businesses, making them partners in a sense. This paper aims to highlight the need to redefine the printing business and reconsider its aims as an industry.

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The trends and viewpoints of new technology in digital printing at drupa 2016 are explained, which gave one the feeling that the wave of digitization is finally going into full swing. The fusing of digital printing with the offset press manufacturer is now becoming apparent. The evolution of digital post processing with 3D computer aided programming is remarkable. A novel design combined with a high quality development process, which was impossible before, can now be realized in the digital world. This increases the hope that it will be possible to provide more value in the future. Moreover, digital printing is being extensively applied in the fields of commercial and label printing, and in corrugated cardboard printing and flexible packaging as well. Once SCREEN and BHS integrate an inkjet head into the corrugator machine, mass production and small lot multi-type design production of corrugated boards on the same machine will become possible. This shows the shift from mass production to mass customization. Thus, the evolution of print still continues.

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This study investigates the growth of Japanese manufacturing companies operating as suppliers for precision industrial machinery production. This study intends to identify the critical factors influencing their growth and management and understand how these factors interact with each other and present a competitive advantage for sustaining their growth.

To fulfil the research purpose, this study has developed the Elemental Composition Model （EC model）, a hypothetical model consisting of six elements, which attempts to describe the growth of the suppliers. Field research was conducted to verify the validity of the EC model by choosing twelve manufacturing companies working on mechanical component production for leading Japanese printing and paper-converting machinery companies. The manufacturing of these products involves highly advanced technology to lead the global market, thereby demanding a high level of manufacturing engineering and skills from their suppliers.

The field research involved a series of visits to the chosen companies and interviews with the top management. A detailed field research analysis indicated how the strategies were chosen and executed, and what changes were made in customer relations and manufacturing technology. Most notably, the analysis identified three significant focus areas for growth, namely technology, product, and market. Further investigation of these processes considering the EC model showed the validity and effectiveness of the EC model in understanding the growth and management process of the suppliers under the study.

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