Shanghai: An Industry on the Move

There are worse reasons to fly halfway around the world than meeting customers, exploring business opportunities and admiring extraordinary printing machinery. With three industry events across three countries and several OEM visits on the itinerary, we intended to make the most of it.

All in Print China offered a striking reminder of how quickly printing technology is advancing. The single-pass inkjet machines were particularly impressive. Watching them in action gives you a healthy appreciation for everything happening behind the scenes. After all, every sheet depends on processes working quickly and reliably, including PDF processing, of course.

For me, however, the most rewarding part was meeting people. I caught up with existing OEM partners and spoke with companies considering callas technology for new projects. We discussed what they were building, how PDF processing might fit into their products and what they needed from an integration. These conversations reveal practical challenges and help guide our development efforts.

I was also struck by how well recognized callas has become in China. There was plenty of interest in what we’re developing next, too, although some details must remain under wraps for now…

Incheon: The Details Behind the Technology

Meanwhile, Dietrich spent his week in Incheon with people who care deeply about the finer points of PDF.

The ISO TC 171 meetings may lack the spectacle of enormous printing machines, yet their importance is hard to overstate. PDF underpins countless applications and workflows, so even small decisions about its specifications can affect millions of documents.

At callas, we deal with these complexities every day. That’s why we help shape the standards rather than simply adapt to them.

But it wasn’t all meeting rooms and PowerPoint. Dietrich also enjoyed a Korean barbecue with his fellow standards experts. Unsurprisingly, technical discussions become more agreeable when there’s a grill in the middle of the table!

Tokyo: The Conversations Continue

Dietrich and I reunited at JITF, where we spent two days meeting manufacturers developing industrial inkjet technology. At our booth, we demonstrated automated preflight, correction, color management, imposition and nesting.

Afterwards, we visited OEM customers in and around Tokyo to discuss ongoing projects, technical requirements and future possibilities. Meeting customers on their own turf gives us a valuable insight into their work and where our technology can help.

Following one visit, we took the famous bullet train back to Tokyo. Its speed and efficiency were remarkable and naturally, I couldn’t resist comparing it to pdfToolbox. Dietrich seemed pleased with that assessment.

A Little Help from AI

Despite our packed schedule, we discovered some excellent Japanese food, with more than a little help from AI. One evening, it recommended a tiny six-seater restaurant serving gorgeous fish ramen at surprisingly reasonable prices. A promising start for our digital travel advisor.

On our final morning, we visited Hamarikyu Gardens, where traditional gardens offer a peaceful retreat beneath Tokyo’s skyscrapers. Afterwards, we explored the bustling Tsukiji fish market before asking AI to find us somewhere quieter for lunch. It suggested a modest-looking sushi restaurant we would otherwise have overlooked. The sushi was superb.

Two recommendations, two successes. While I’m not sure I’d trust AI with every aspect of a PDF workflow, it seems to have a good understanding of Japanese cuisine!

Plenty to Follow Up On

The trip offered three perspectives on the same industry. In Incheon, Dietrich helped shape PDF standards. In Shanghai, I saw the demands modern printing equipment places on workflows. And in Japan, we met manufacturers bringing these technologies together.

For our OEM partnerships, understanding these connections is crucial. It helps us anticipate challenges and develop technology that meets our partners’ needs.

We returned with new contacts, promising discussions and plenty of follow-ups. Just as encouraging was the recognition callas has gained across these markets.

My thanks to everyone who welcomed us and made the trip so productive. And if anyone needs a restaurant recommendation in Tokyo, Dietrich and I may have found a new area of expertise!