Inkcups set to celebrate 25 years of innovation as it showcases its latest direct-to-object UV and pad printing technology at PRINTING United Expo 2026

2026 is a significant milestone as it marks Inkcups’ 25th year of developing direct-to-object technology that leads the market. Visitors to the Inkcups booth will see firsthand how the company’s pioneering High Throw technology enables businesses to push beyond the boundaries of what is possible with direct-to-object printing, with both the new Helix® High Throw UV Cylindrical Printer and the X5-T High Throw Flatbed UV Inkjet Printer being demonstrated. Other new equipment being demonstrated will be Inkcups’ latest high-performance laser plate-making system, the Cobalt Pro+ CO2 Laser Machine.

The full portfolio of equipment that will be highlighted on the Inkcups booth includes:

Direct-to-object Printing Technology

• Helix® High Throw UV Cylindrical Printer: Launched in June 2026 and recently awarded a PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle Technology Award, the Helix® High Throw expands what is possible with helical printing far beyond drinkware and bottles by accommodating height variations of up to 0.59” (15 mm) when decorating cylindrical and conical products. This makes it ideal for cylindrically printing challenging and irregular shapes such as stepped and tapered vessels, those with posts for attaching handles, and items as varied as footballs and rugby balls, pet bowls and planters.

• X5-T High Throw: The High Throw enhancement on the X5-T printer significantly increases the ink throw distance between the printhead and the substrate, enabling high-quality, accurate prints on contoured, rounded, slightly curved and irregularly shaped objects, such as mugs, tiered drinkware, sporting equipment, coolers and luggage.

• Helix ONE®: The Helix ONE® breaks down barriers to entry into direct-to-object print for print service providers, apparel decorators and even packaging businesses. It uses Inkcups’ patented Helix® technology in a compact benchtop design to decorate straight-walled and tapered cylindrical drinkware and products, including bottles, tumblers, and candle holders. It will be demonstrated alongside a personalization kiosk.

Pad Printing Technology

• B100 1-Color Tabletop Pad Printer: A high-speed pad printing machine designed for heavy-duty performance, the B100 provides an alternative solution to sewn-in tags and heat transfer labels for clothing. It is also an ideal solution for promotional items such as non-stick kitchenware, promotional products such as pens, napkins, silicone wristbands, mint tins and stress balls, as well as medical and electronic devices.

• 2200-PS 2-Color Pad Printer: Equipped with a heavy-duty, dual-position pneumatic pad-slide mechanism that keeps the garment stationary to ensure flawless second-color registration, the 2200-PS is well suited to a range of applications from two-color apparel and tagless label printing to promotional products and industrial items. 

• Cobalt Edge Pad Printing Plate-Maker: A 20-watt MOPA fiber laser designed to etch pad printing plates with precision. Featuring a 4.7” x 4.7” (119 mm x 119 mm) marking area, 44-micron spot size, and 100,000-hour fiber source life, it delivers reliable, long-lasting performance. Paired with Inkcups’ exclusive plate-making software, EdgeWrite, operators are able to easily manage multiple jobs simultaneously, simplify file setup, and maintain consistent production settings.

• Cobalt Pro+ Laser Plate-Maker: Launched in July 2026, the Cobalt Pro+ is the next step in the evolution of Inkcups’ advanced CO₂ laser technology. Up to 20% faster than its predecessor, the Cobalt Pro+ enables users to boost productivity, reduce turnaround times, and take on more work without compromising quality.

The applications featured across the booth will include various promotional products, including bowls and stemless wine tumblers decorated using the Helix® High Throw UV Cylindrical Printer, latte cups printed on the Helix ONE®, chopsticks pad printed on the B100 1-Color Tabletop Pad Printer, and lens cloths decorated with the 2200-PS 2-Color Pad Printer, as well as plates etched by the Cobalt Edge and Cobalt Pro+.

Jessica Makrinos, Marketing Manager, Inkcups, comments: 

“Many businesses come to PRINTING United Expo looking for ways to expand the range of applications they deliver, and ways to rethink how they create those applications. At the show last year we spoke about ‘printing beyond boundaries’ and in 2026 we’ve continued to innovate to deliver that, such as with the extension of High Throw technology to cylindrical direct-to-object printing. 2026 also marks Inkcups’ 25th year of driving innovation that empowers our customers to unlock growth, so it’s fitting that the Inkcups booth will showcase technologies that enable our customers to really push beyond those limits.”

To learn more about the full Inkcups equipment range, visit www.inkcups.com/industrial-printing-equipment.