At PRINTING United, INKISH’s Morten B. Reitoft spoke with Graphco president Chris Manley about innovations helping printers grow profitably.

At Printing United in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH met with Chris Manley, president of Graphco, to discuss how the company continues to innovate and help printers expand into higher-margin opportunities. The Graphco booth once again reflected Manley’s energy and creativity, centered on a clear theme: “The Unfair Advantage.”

That phrase, Manley explained, defines Graphco’s mission to give its customers a real competitive edge—enabling them to outproduce and outprofit their peers through smart investments. One of the standout demonstrations was the SD AUSTA F-150R2 hybrid CNC routing and cutting system, made in Italy. The machine was shown producing high-value signage in just a few minutes, turning roughly $25 in raw materials into finished products that sell for around $200. Designed for automation and ease of use, the system can cut, route, and automatically weld studs, allowing even non-specialized operators to create complex, ready-to-install signage.

Manley emphasized how this kind of productivity and profitability is exactly what printers need in a market where 10–15% gross margins are typical. For about $5,000–$6,000 per month in lease payments, he explained, a print service provider can own a system that generates products with far higher returns than traditional print work.

Graphco also showcased the Foilnex Touris 53044 laminator, built in the Czech Republic, which can laminate both sides of a 12×18″ sheet at nearly 8,000 sheets per hour. Manley noted that it is ideal for digital and offset printers alike—particularly those producing menus, covers, and other laminated applications requiring high throughput and premium finish quality.

Another highlight was the FoldStream folder-gluer from Hanover, Germany. Compact, easy to use, and built for short- to medium-run packaging and pocket folders, the FoldStream provides automation and productivity typically reserved for much larger, more expensive systems. Priced at roughly half of competitive equipment, it opens opportunities for smaller printers to enter the folding carton and packaging market.

Manley described convergence—the blending of commercial print, signage, and packaging—as a central growth opportunity. He stressed that short-run packaging is especially promising because it brings repeat business and strong margins, unlike many traditional print segments.

True to Graphco’s philosophy, Manley underscored that every piece of equipment they sell must help customers make money. His guiding principle, as he put it, is simple: “As we serve, we succeed.” For him, Graphco’s growth is directly tied to helping printers thrive through automation, creativity, and the pursuit of profitable new markets.