Inkcups celebrates 25 years of direct printing innovations

The US-based printing technology specialist Inkcups is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founded by Benjamin Adner as a supplier of pad printing accessories, the company has developed into an internationally active manufacturer of inkjet and pad printing systems. Key milestones include the first inkjet printer for promotional items (2010), the XJET industrial flatbed printer (2012) and the opening of its European headquarters in Freudenberg in 2020.

A key development in 2016 was the launch of the Helix® cylindrical direct-printing system. The technology opened up new possibilities for the customised printing of drinking vessels and laid the foundations for a product family that now comprises five models. Most recently, the Helix® High Throw (2026) was added, following the Double Helix® (2021), Helix®+ (2022) and Helix ONE® (2023). Today, Helix® systems are in use in 20 countries across five continents.

The latest developments have also received accolades: within four years, Inkcups has won five Pinnacle Technology Awards from the Printing United Alliance as well as a Print Industry Award. The award-winning innovations include, amongst others, the Double Helix®’s Nano-Pin Curing technology, specialised printing processes for transparent PVC pouches and the Helix ONE®’s Lustre Effect. The new Helix® High Throw, which can compensate for height differences and irregular shapes in cylindrical and conical products, won awards in both the US and the UK in 2026.

Founder Benjamin Adner sees the company’s consistent focus on customers’ production requirements as a key factor in its success. Inkcups intends to continue expanding the possibilities of industrial direct printing onto objects with new machines and printing technologies in the future.
More information at: www.inkcups.com

Photo: To mark the anniversary, the Inkcups team went on a boat trip. Picture: Inkcups