In the inaugural edition for the year, What’s Happening January 2024 looks at some personalized photo print products offered this past holiday season, as well as some kudos for Kodak Moments. We also cover a new Epson SureColor F-series direct-to-garment (DTG) printer designed to open new doors for print service providers.
What’s Happening January 2024
MailPix Expanded Personalized Holiday Photo Products
Photo-printing, canvas and photo gifting site MailPix expanded its personalized holiday photo products for the 2023 holiday season. The newest categories are a selection of embroidered items as well as laser-engraved natural wood frames. Consumers could create their own stockings from MailPix in several styles. They comprised full-length photo stockings, photos with embroidered names as well as embroidered only. 
Further, you can keep warm and snuggly on cold winter nights with the new embroidered Sherpa throw blanket. The 100% polyester blanket measures 50×60 inches and is personalized with up to 12 embroidered characters. In addition, crafters in the family appreciated the new personalized leather apron. Crafted from waxed canvas, the 29.5-inch-long apron is built to withstand the toughest challenges. A personalized engraved leather patch completes the look.
Further, new laser-engraved natural wood frames are customizable with a personalized message for themes like graduation, friends, family, weddings, pets and vacations. The 8.75×6.75-inch wood frame has a 4×6 opening to showcase a print. There is also a glass insert to protect the print. 
MailPix’s 1 Hour Photo photo-printing app offered pickup of holiday gifts and prints at more than 20,000 locations. They include all four of the largest U.S. retailers with photo services: CVS, Walmart, Walgreens as well as Duane Reade stores. Products range from greeting cards and photo panels to photo books, acrylic panels, bamboo panels, photo cubes as well as canvas prints.
Kodak Moments First Business Inducted into Kiosk Hall of Fame
Kodak Moments is the newest member of the Kiosk Industry Hall of Fame. The award is presented by the Kiosk Industry Group to recognize outstanding achievement and long-standing service to the kiosk industry. Moreover, Kodak Moments was the first business inducted into the Kiosk Hall of Fame since its inception in 2003. Previously, the Hall of Fame was an honor exclusively for individual contributors to the industry.
“No business has made a greater impact on the kiosk industry than Kodak Moments,” said Craig Allen Keefner, manager of the Kiosk Industry Group and curator of the Kiosk Hall of Fame. “Kodak Moments was the original global provider of kiosks. The proliferation of kiosks across retail and travel and leisure was driven largely by photo kiosks.”
Hundreds of thousands of consumers use Kodak Moments touchpoints each day in a range of retail locations. They include pharmacies, big-box stores as well as small businesses. Indoor and outdoor kiosks are also deployed at amusement parks, resorts and on cruise ships. The company’s mission is to be the brand consumers choose to celebrate and preserve life’s memories, from big events to everyday moments. In addition, Kodak Moments is also a leader in kiosk fleet management.
What’s more, Kodak Moments offers retailers various traditional photo prints and premium photo products. They are easy for consumers to create as well as order on demand. Data analysis has shown that a retailer with a photo department will experience a higher market basket due to customer visits to order and pick up photo products.
Epson SureColor F-Series Direct-to-Garment Printer
Expanding the solutions available for custom printed apparel, the Epson SureColor F-series direct-to-garment (DTG) printer was introduced. Epson offers the printer to open new doors for print service providers, garment decorators, entrepreneurs as well as artisan businesses.
The entry-level printer is purpose-built for a range of DTG and direct-to-film (DTFilm) printing applications. The hybrid printer combines image quality, easy operation and flexible performance in a space-saving package. “Traditionally, DTG printers were designed for professional print shops—larger models that are difficult for smaller, entry-level artisans to obtain and integrate into their existing workflows,” said Lily Hunter, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. “Epson has taken the best of its DTG technology and distilled it into this compact, cost-effective printer, ideal for entrepreneurs and creative professionals looking to bring their unique designs to life.”
Epson engineered the printer for both DTG and DTFilm printing. The hybrid SureColor printer addresses the growth of businesses that are looking to provide customized goods as well as T-shirts. Moreover, the unit features an enclosed design with transparent viewing panels to enhance the printing process. Further, DTFilm printing capability allows users to go beyond traditional garment printing and transfer personalized designs to a wider variety of materials.
Specs
The printer also features a PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification technology. In addition, it uses next-generation UltraChrome DG2 ink with CMYK+Wh to deliver vibrant colors and detail. What’s more, white ink prints on dark garments for enhanced photographic print quality. Plus, a cartridge-free ink pack system reduces ink replacement frequency to support productivity. The printer also supports Epson Garment Creator 2 software for DTG and DTFilm job creation. 
Further, the printer has a minimalist exterior with a view of the printing process. An intuitive touchscreen menu has large icons and animated instructions for user-friendly navigation. And to help in maintaining the printer, there’s an automated fabric head wiper system. Moreover, Epson Cloud Solution Port provides live production monitoring, reporting and job cost accounting.
Epson will make the SureColor F1070 available for preorders in February. It will start shipping to customers in May 2024 through Epson Authorized Professional Imaging Resellers. The printer will have a suggested price of $7,495 and come with a one-year limited warranty.
