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Las Vegas (once again) proved to be a dynamic backdrop for the ISA International Sign Expo 2025, which was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Attracting around 20,000 registered attendees and nearly 600 exhibitors, the bustling event was a vibrant showcase of technological advancements, market shifts, and strategic industry partnerships. Attendees left with not only product insights, but also a deeper sense of the wide format print sector’s evolving direction.
The energy on the show floor was unmistakable—new launches, expanded portfolios, and fresh applications that made wide format the undisputed focal point. Print service providers (PSPs) were drawn to advancements not just in hardware, but also in automation, workflow integration, and eco-friendly innovation. Digital signage, kiosks, and dynamic displays attracted plenty of attention, signalling a growing convergence between traditional signage and experiential media.
Some Highlights of ISA Expo 2025
Epson’s “Seventy5 Candy Company” booth was a visual treat, teeming with every element from candy wrappers and jar labels to POP displays and signage. The company emphasized its robust product lineup, addressing the expanding needs of PSPs across signage, textile, fine art, and garment decoration. There was a lot of noise around the SureColor G6070, making its debut as Epson’s first dedicated direct-to-film (DTF) printer. It offers a generous print width, minimal maintenance, and excellent reliability—perfect for garment decorators wanting to embellish a wide variety of materials and expand their DTF services.
Other highlights included the SureColor S9170, a new solvent printer featuring an 11-color ink set capable of reproducing 99.5% of PANTONE colors, ideal for premium signage applications, while its user-replaceable printhead is touted to be the first in its class. Epson also demonstrated cloud-based color management and job tracking tools, such as Epson Cloud Solution PORT. This solution provides print shops real-time status monitoring and device usage analysis to meet today’s demand for integrated print environments.
Agfa added significant horsepower to its portfolio with the Anapurna Ciervo H2050 and H2500, 80" and 98" hybrid UV-LED printers designed for rigid and flexible substrates. The redesigned Ciervo H2500 delivers high productivity—up to 59 m²/hr (635 ft²/hr) in Production Mode—while producing materials such as banners, vinyl, corrugated cardboard, and coated textiles. It supports media up to 2.5 m wide and offers continuous board-feeding for up to four boards at once and features six-color plus white inks and UV LED curing for maximum versatility.
The models are compatible with Agfa’s Asanti software, the latest version of which was on show. The browser-based dashboard interfaces with management information system/enterprise resource planning systems to finetune quotes, track production time, monitor ink and material consumption, and automate job grouping—making it ideal for packaging production.
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| Agfa Anapurna Ciervo H2500 |
HP unveiled its latest generation of large-format printers—the Latex 730W and 830W—which are packed with new features. Both models support white ink with dual white printheads, double-sided printing, and offer simplified media loading with reduced waste via a redesigned output platen. In standard six-pass Production Fast mode, the 730W prints at up to 226 ft2/hr, while the 830W reaches up to 269 ft2/hr. Sustainability is front and center with water-based, odorless HP latex inks; fully printed cardboard eco ink cartons; recyclable printheads; recyclable ink bags; and EPEAT Climate+ certification.
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| HP Latex 830W |
Direct to Object Gains Traction
The direct-to-object (DTO) category continued to build momentum, reflecting the growing demand for short-run, personalized, and specialty items. Several vendors made this segment a core focus:
- Roland DGA spotlighted an impressive lineup of UV flatbeds, including the VersaObject MO-240. This printer is capable of printing on items up to 8" thick, with CMYK plus white, gloss, primer, and spot colors like red and orange—making it ideal for promotional goods, industrial items, and decorative objects.
- Mimaki showed the Kebab HS, a new enhanced rotary option for its UJF Series UV-LED flatbeds. It can print directly on tapered cylindrical items with slope angles up to 7.5 degrees, such as glassware and tumblers, and is promoted as operating at three times the speed of current models.
- Mutoh brought strong visibility to its XpertJet 661UF UV desktop flatbed printer, which is pitched at customers looking to customize promotional items such as phone cases and awards. This 18" x 24" device prints CMYK + white + varnish, supports tactile layers and braille, and enables special effects like lenticular printing.
Sign Fabrication Innovation
Automation in sign production was a parallel theme. Computerized Cutters showcased its Accu-Bend Stingray and Accu-Cut XLR8, tools that simplify and accelerate the creation of channel letters. These systems address growing demand for efficient, scalable production of dimensional signage.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
The ISA Sign Expo 2025 confirmed what many in the industry already sensed: Wide format is diversifying and adapting to broader market opportunities. From the artistic precision of fine art printing to the rugged versatility of UV flatbeds, PSPs have more tools than ever to grow into new spaces. Innovations in object printing and channel letter automation reflect an industry moving toward more tailored, high-margin applications.
For PSPs, distributors, and creatives alike, ISA 2025 was not only an inspiring showcase but a vital checkpoint for aligning strategies with where the market is headed. With ISA continuing to grow its partnerships—such as its ownership stake in The Wrap Institute—the commitment to professional development and industry elevation remains strong.
The full event report will be available soon in the InfoCenter. Log in to the InfoCenter to view more research on wide format graphics, digital textile printing, and decorated apparel markets through our Wide Format Printing and Textile & Apparel Printing Advisory Services. If you’re not a subscriber, contact us for more info by clicking here.
