Hybrid Software Helix rounds off the year with a third innovation award for SmartDFE

SmartDFE wins Label Industry China Award for Innovation 2025

Hybrid Software Helix (formerly Global Graphics Software) is proud to announce that its SmartDFE™ technology has won a Label Industry China Award for Innovation. This marks the third major award this year for SmartDFE, the intelligent digital front end platform that drives high-speed label, packaging, and industrial inkjet presses.

The Label Industry China Awards celebrate industry leadership in innovation and sustainability, recognizing companies and technologies that make outstanding contributions to the sector. Earlier in 2025, SmartDFE received a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, the UK’s highest business honor, and an EDP Award for Best Technology.

Accepting the award during the Labelexpo Asia exhibition, Bob Zhang, OEM sales manager for the Asia Pacific region commented: “Winning this award is a testament to our growing success in China. We’re honored by the recognition and deeply grateful to our customers for their trust and support, especially our partners at Zhejiang Weigang Technology Co, who have been instrumental to our success.”

Developed in response to demand for high-performance inkjet systems capable of processing large, complex files at speed, SmartDFE uses artificial intelligence to optimize system configuration in real time. The result is faster, more efficient production with reduced waste and minimal downtime. By embedding expert-level print knowledge directly into the system, SmartDFE also helps manufacturers address the global shortage of skilled press operators.

The accolade follows hot on the heels of Hybrid Software’s China International Flexo Tech award for its CLOUDFLOW Colorspace technology, further strengthening the company’s leadership and reputation in the Chinese labels and packaging market.

For more information about SmartDFE, visit: hybridhelix.com/smartdfe or follow our WeChat channel: bobzhang0930.

Hybrid Software Helix launches world’s first GPU-native Industrial Inkjet RIP

SmartRIP™ unveiled at the Industrial Print Integration Conference 2025

Hybrid Software Helix (formerly Global Graphics Software) has launched SmartRIP™, an innovative industrial inkjet RIP (raster image processor) for OEMs and integrators. SmartRIP is the world’s first GPU-native RIP, delivering exceptional performance and scalability for a wide range of industrial printing applications. It offers a streamlined feature set and optimized pricing designed specifically for the broader industrial print market rather than high-end digital presses for label and packaging applications.

SmartRIP is purpose built for system integrators who need to embed advanced print capabilities into industrial solutions quickly and securely. It features an industrial OPC UA standard interface, ensuring secure and interoperable communication across modern production environments. Its GPU-native architecture is lightning fast and frees up the CPU to perform other tasks in parallel. SmartRIP is therefore flexible and highly scalable, maximizing controller hardware performance, while its streamlined integration process enables users to get up and running in hours, not months.

In addition, SmartRIP offers advanced print quality technologies, including color management from ColorLogic. These technologies are in a user-friendly, automated system, enabling any operator, regardless of their level of expertise, to achieve excellent print quality with ease and confidence.

Managing Director Justin Bailey said: “With SmartRIP, we’ve taken the award-winning, proven technology from SmartDFE™, which powers high-end digital presses, and streamlined it for a wider range of industrial applications. OEMs and integrators can now deliver exceptional print quality faster, with less complexity and at a lower cost. Additionally with its embedded OPC UA, SmartRIP is secure by design, making it ready for the rigor likely to be required to comply with the Cyber Resilience Act that comes into play in Europe in 2027.”

SmartRIP will be on show for the first time at the Industrial Print Integration Conference in Düsseldorf-Neuss, Germany (12 – 13 November 2025). Also attending are Hybrid Software’s Meteor Inkjet business, showcasing its electronics, software and tools for industrial inkjet systems, and Hybrid’s Color business unit which will introduce the ColorLogic Core SDK, an ICC-compliant software development kit designed for printer OEMs.

For more information about the SmartRIP from Hybrid Software Helix, visit: hybridhelix.com/smartrip

Hybrid Software launches Helix OEM software business

Global Graphics Software rebrands to reflect innovation, embedded intelligence, and Cambridge roots

Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of core technologies for digital printing and the OEM business unit of Hybrid Software, today announced its new brand identity: Hybrid Software Helix. The name reflects the company’s evolution into a trusted provider of embedded, intelligent software components at the heart of industrial print systems. It also signals its commitment to ongoing innovation, its deep-rooted connection to Cambridge, and its role in shaping the future of digital print.

“Becoming Hybrid Software Helix marks the next chapter in our journey,” said Managing Director Justin Bailey. “The printing industry is transforming with AI, Industry 4.0, and smart factories. We’ve evolved alongside it, innovating so our OEM customers can use our technology components to build customized intelligent print systems this new era demands.”

The Helix name was chosen as a metaphor for the role the company’s technology plays inside OEM print systems. Just as DNA encodes the intelligence of life, Hybrid Software Helix provides the embedded intelligence that powers industrial print systems.

Recognized for its innovation, earlier this year the company received the most prestigious business honor in the UK, the King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation for its SmartDFE™ digital front end platform. It is the second time the company has received the award, having been recognized in 2020 with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation for its ScreenPro™ screening software.

Next year the company will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Its roots go back to Cambridge and a research project that resulted in the Harlequin RIP®, a world-leading technology that is still widely used in the printing industry today. The majority of its R&D team is still based near this iconic university city.

Since joining Hybrid Software Group in 2021, the company has benefited from being part of the only organization in the industry that owns 100% of its intellectual property and serves both OEMs and end users with software products that create high-quality printed graphics at very high speeds. This independence from press manufacturers allows Hybrid Software Helix to innovate freely and tailor its technologies to each OEM’s unique roadmap.

Hybrid Software’s solutions span the entire workflow – from file pre-flighting and color management to delivering print data directly to inkjet printheads at blistering speeds. Its other business units provide software for labels & packaging, color management, integration and project management, as well as artwork management for brands and FMCG companies. Other companies in the Hybrid Software Group include the industrial printhead drive solutions specialists Meteor Inkjet and offset printing workflow developer Xitron.

“We may have a new name, but our values remain the same,” added Bailey. “Hybrid Software Helix continues to be defined by trust, collaboration, and a relentless focus on innovation. The Helix identity connects our Cambridge roots with our vision for the future — intelligent, innovative, and performant.”

ENDS

 

Hybrid Software lance Helix OEM Software Business

Global Graphics Software redéfinit son identité de marque pour refléter l’innovation, l’intelligence embarquée et ses racines à Cambridge

(Cambridge, Royaume-Uni, 4 novembre 2025) Global Graphics Software, l’un des principaux développeurs de technologies fondamentales pour l’impression numérique et division OEM d’Hybrid Software, a annoncé aujourd’hui sa nouvelle identité de marque : Hybrid Software Helix. Ce changement de nom reflète l’évolution de l’entreprise en un fournisseur de confiance de composants logiciels embarqués et intelligents, au cœur des systèmes d’impression industriels. Il traduit également son engagement en faveur de l’innovation continue, de son ancrage historique à Cambridge et de son rôle dans la construction de l’avenir de l’impression numérique.

« Devenir Hybrid Software Helix marque le prochain chapitre de notre histoire », a déclaré Justin Bailey, directeur général. « Le secteur de l’impression est en pleine transformation avec l’IA, l’industrie 4.0 et les usines intelligentes. Nous avons évolué avec lui, en innovant afin que nos clients OEM puissent utiliser nos composants technologiques pour développer des systèmes d’impression intelligents personnalisés qui répondent aux exigences de cette nouvelle ère. »

Le nom Helix a été choisi comme métaphore du rôle que joue la technologie de l’entreprise dans les systèmes d’impression OEM. Tout comme l’ADN encode l’intelligence de la vie, Hybrid Software Helix fournit l’intelligence embarquée qui alimente les systèmes d’impression industriels.

Reconnue pour son esprit d’innovation, l’entreprise a reçu plus tôt cette année la plus haute distinction dans le monde des affaires au Royaume-Uni, le King’s Award for Enterprise for innovation, pour sa plateforme front-end numérique SmartDFE™. C’est la deuxième fois qu’elle reçoit cette récompense, après le Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation en 2020 pour son logiciel de tramage ScreenPro™.

L’année prochaine, l’entreprise fêtera son 40e anniversaire. Ses racines remontent à Cambridge et à un projet de recherche, qui a donné naissance à Harlequin RIP®, une technologie de référence qui est encore largement utilisée aujourd’hui dans le secteur de l’imprimerie. La majorité de l’équipe R&D est toujours basée près de cette ville universitaire emblématique.

Son intégration au sein du groupe Hybrid Software en 2021 a permis à l’entreprise d’évoluer au sein de la seule organisation du secteur qui détient 100 % de sa propriété intellectuelle et propose des solutions logicielles à la fois aux OEM et aux utilisateurs finaux. Cela permet de produire des graphismes imprimés de haute qualité à grande vitesse. Cette indépendance vis-à-vis des fabricants de presses permet à Hybrid Software Helix d’innover librement et d’adapter ses technologies à la feuille de route unique de chaque OEM.

Les solutions d’Hybrid Software couvrent l’ensemble du processus : du contrôle en amont des fichiers et de la gestion des couleurs jusqu’à la transmission des données d’impression ultra-rapide directement aux têtes d’impression jet d’encre. Ses autres divisions fournissent des logiciels dédiés aux étiquettes et aux emballages, à la gestion des couleurs, à l’intégration et à la gestion de projets, ainsi qu’à la gestion d’éléments graphiques pour les marques et les entreprises de produits et biens de grande consommation (FMCG). Hybrid Software Group comprend également Meteor Inkjet, spécialiste des solutions de pilotage de têtes d’impression industrielles et Xitron, développeur de solutions pour les flux d’impression offset.

« Nous avons un nouveau nom, mais nos valeurs restent les mêmes », a ajouté Bailey. « Hybrid Software Helix est toujours synonyme de confiance et de collaboration, avec un engagement fort envers l’innovation. L’identité Helix fait le lien entre nos racines à Cambridge et notre vision de l’avenir, axée sur l’intelligence, l’innovation et la performance. »

 

Hybrid Software lancia l’attività di software OEM Helix

Global Graphics Software rinnova il proprio marchio per riflettere innovazione, intelligenza integrata e le sue radici a Cambridge

(Cambridge, Regno Unito, 4 novembre 2025) Global Graphics Software, azienda leader nello sviluppo di tecnologie di base per la stampa digitale e divisione OEM di Hybrid Software, ha annunciato oggi la sua nuova brand identity: Hybrid Software Helix. Il nome riflette l’evoluzione dell’azienda in un fornitore affidabile di componenti software intelligenti integrati, fondamentali nei sistemi di stampa industriali. Inoltre, sottolinea anche il suo impegno per l’innovazione continua, il suo legame profondo con Cambridge e il suo ruolo nel plasmare il futuro della stampa digitale.

“Diventare Hybrid Software Helix segna il prossimo capitolo del nostro percorso”, ha affermato Justin Bailey, Managing Director. “Il settore della stampa si sta trasformando grazie all’intelligenza artificiale, all’industria 4.0 e le fabbriche intelligenti. E la nostra evoluzione è andata di pari passo, realizzando innovazioni che permettano ai nostri clienti OEM di utilizzare i nostri componenti tecnologici per realizzare sistemi di stampa intelligenti personalizzati, come richiede questa nuova era.”

Il nome Helix è stato scelto come metafora del ruolo che la tecnologia dell’azienda svolge all’interno dei sistemi di stampa OEM. Proprio come il DNA codifica l’intelligenza della vita, Hybrid Software Helix fornisce l’intelligenza integrata che alimenta i sistemi di stampa industriali.

Conosciuta per le sue innovazioni, all’inizio di quest’anno l’azienda ha ricevuto il più prestigioso riconoscimento commerciale del Regno Unito, il King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, per la sua piattaforma front-end digitale SmartDFE™. È la seconda volta che l’azienda riceve questo premio, che aveva già ottenuto nel 2020 con il Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation per il suo software di screening ScreenPro™.

L’anno prossimo l’azienda festeggerà il suo 40° anniversario. Le sue radici nascono a Cambridge e in un progetto di ricerca che ha portato alla creazione di Harlequin RIP®, una tecnologia leader a livello mondiale ancora ampiamente utilizzata nel settore della stampa. La maggior parte del suo team di Ricerca e Sviluppo ha ancora sede nei pressi di questa storica città universitaria.

Da quando è entrata a far parte di Hybrid Software Group nel 2021, l’azienda ha tratto vantaggio dall’appartenenza all’unica organizzazione del settore che possiede il 100% della sua proprietà intellettuale e fornisce sia agli OEM che agli utenti finali prodotti software in grado di creare grafica stampata di alta qualità a velocità molto elevate. Questa indipendenza dai produttori di macchine da stampa consente a Hybrid Software Helix di realizzare innovazioni in modo libero e di personalizzare le proprie tecnologie in base alla roadmap unica di ciascun OEM.

Le soluzioni di Hybrid Software comprendono l’intero flusso di lavoro: dal preflight dei file e la gestione del colore alla consegna dei dati di stampa direttamente alle testine di stampa a getto d’inchiostro con una velocità incredibile. Le altre business unit forniscono software per etichette e imballaggi, gestione del colore, integrazione e gestione dei progetti, nonché gestione del materiale illustrativo per marchi e aziende del settore dei beni di largo consumo. Altre società del gruppo Hybrid Software includono Meteor Inkjet, specializzata in soluzioni industriali per la stampa a getto d’inchiostro, e Xitron, che sviluppa flussi di lavoro per la stampa offset.

“Il nome è cambiato, ma i nostri valori rimangono sempre gli stessi”, ha aggiunto Bailey. “Hybrid Software Helix continua a essere caratterizzata da fiducia, collaborazione e una costante attenzione all’innovazione. L’identità di Helix fa risalire le nostre radici a Cambridge e alla nostra visione del futuro: intelligente, innovativo e performante.”

Hybrid Software lanza Helix, una unidad de negocio de software OEM

Global Graphics Software cambia su marca para reflejar la innovación, la inteligencia integrada y sus raíces en Cambridge

(Cambridge, Reino Unido, 4 de noviembre de 2025) Global Graphics Software, desarrollador líder de tecnologías básicas para la impresión digital y unidad de negocio OEM de Hybrid Software, ha anunciado hoy su nueva identidad de marca: Hybrid Software Helix. El nombre refleja la evolución de la empresa hasta convertirse en un proveedor de confianza de componentes de software inteligentes e integrados que constituyen el núcleo de los sistemas de impresión industrial. También pone de manifiesto su compromiso con la innovación continua, su profunda conexión con Cambridge y su papel en la configuración del futuro de la impresión digital.

«Hybrid Software Helix marca el siguiente capítulo de nuestro viaje», afirma Justin Bailey, Managing Director. «El sector de la impresión se está transformando con la IA, la industria 4.0 y las fábricas inteligentes. Nosotros también hemos evolucionado, innovando para que nuestros clientes OEM puedan utilizar nuestros componentes tecnológicos para crear sistemas de impresión inteligentes personalizados que satisfagan las exigencias de esta nueva era».

El nombre Helix fue elegido como metáfora del papel que desempeña la tecnología de la empresa en los sistemas de impresión OEM. Al igual que el ADN codifica la inteligencia de la vida, Hybrid Software Helix proporciona la inteligencia integrada que impulsa los sistemas de impresión industrial.

Reconocida por su innovación, a principios de este año la empresa recibió el premio empresarial más prestigioso del Reino Unido, el King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, por su plataforma digital SmartDFE™. Es la segunda vez que la empresa recibe este premio, tras haber sido reconocida en 2020 con el Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation por su software de tramado ScreenPro™.

El año que viene, la empresa celebrará su 40 aniversario. Sus raíces se remontan a Cambridge y a un proyecto de investigación que dio lugar a Harlequin RIP®, una tecnología líder en el mundo que todavía se utiliza ampliamente en el sector de la impresión. La mayor parte de su equipo de I+D sigue teniendo su sede cerca de esta icónica ciudad universitaria.

Desde que se unió a Hybrid Software Group en 2021, la empresa se ha beneficiado de formar parte de la única organización del sector que posee el 100 % de su propiedad intelectual y presta servicios tanto a fabricantes de equipos originales como a usuarios finales con productos de software que crean gráficos impresos de alta calidad a velocidades muy altas. Esta independencia respecto a los fabricantes de prensa permite a Hybrid Software Helix innovar libremente y adaptar sus tecnologías a la hoja de ruta única de cada OEM.

Las soluciones de Hybrid Software abarcan todo el flujo de trabajo, desde la comprobación previa de archivos y la gestión del color hasta la entrega de datos de impresión directamente a los cabezales de impresión de inyección de tinta a velocidades vertiginosas. Sus otras unidades de negocio proporcionan software para etiquetas y embalajes, gestión del color, integración y gestión de proyectos, así como gestión de ilustraciones para marcas y empresas de bienes de consumo de alta rotación. Otras empresas de Hybrid Software Group son Meteor Inkjet, especialista en soluciones para cabezales de impresión industrial, y Xitron, desarrollador de flujos de trabajo de impresión en offset.

«Aunque tengamos un nuevo nombre, nuestros valores siguen siendo los mismos», añadió Bailey. «Hybrid Software Helix sigue caracterizándose por la confianza, la colaboración y un enfoque implacable en la innovación. La identidad Helix conecta nuestras raíces en Cambridge con nuestra visión inteligente, innovadora y eficiente del futuro».

FIN

 

 

Hybrid Software startet Helix OEM Software Business

Global Graphics Software führt ein Rebranding durch, um Innovation, eingebettete Intelligenz und die Ursprünge in Cambridge widerzuspiegeln

(Cambridge, Vereinigtes Königreich, 4. November 2025) Global Graphics Software, ein führender Entwickler von Kerntechnologien für den Digitaldruck und die OEM-Geschäftseinheit von Hybrid Software, gab heute seine neue Markenidentität bekannt: Hybrid Software Helix. Der Name spiegelt die Entwicklung des Unternehmens zu einem vertrauenswürdigen Anbieter von integrierten, intelligenten Softwarekomponenten im Herzen industrieller Drucksysteme wider. Er signalisiert auch das Engagement des Unternehmens für kontinuierliche Innovationen, die tiefe Verbindung zu Cambridge und seine Rolle bei der Gestaltung der Zukunft des Digitaldrucks.

„Hybrid Software Helix zu werden ist das nächste Kapitel unserer Reise“, so Managing Director Justin Bailey. „Die Druckbranche verändert sich mit KI, Industrie 4.0 und intelligenten Druckereien. Wir haben uns parallel dazu weiterentwickelt und nach Innovation gestrebt, damit unsere OEM-Kunden unsere Technologiekomponenten nutzen können, um maßgeschneiderte intelligente Drucksysteme zu entwickeln, die diese neue Ära erfordert.“

Der Name Helix wurde als Metapher für die Rolle gewählt, die die Technologie des Unternehmens in OEM-Drucksystemen spielt. Genau wie DNA die Intelligenz des Lebens kodiert, bietet Hybrid Software Helix die eingebettete Intelligenz, die industrielle Drucksysteme unterstützt.

Das Unternehmen ist für Innovationen bekannt und erhielt Anfang dieses Jahres die renommierteste Geschäftsauszeichnung des Vereinigten Königreichs, den „King’s Award for Enterprise“ für Innovation für seine digitale Frontend-Plattform SmartDFE™. Es ist das zweite Mal, dass das Unternehmen die Auszeichnung erhielt, nachdem es 2020 mit dem „Queen’s Award for Enterprise“ für Innovation für seine ScreenPro™-Screeningsoftware ausgezeichnet wurde.

Im nächsten Jahr feiert das Unternehmen sein 40-jähriges Bestehen. Seine Wurzeln gehen auf Cambridge und ein Forschungsprojekt zurück, das Harlequin RIP® hervorbrachte, eine weltweit führende Technologie, die bis heute in der Druckbranche weit verbreitet ist. Der Großteil seines F&E-Teams ist noch immer in der Nähe dieser berühmten Universitätsstadt angesiedelt.

Seit dem Zusammenschluss mit der Hybrid Software Group im Jahr 2021 profitiert das Unternehmen davon, Teil der einzigen Organisation in der Branche zu sein, die 100 % ihres geistigen Eigentums besitzt und sowohl OEMs als auch Endbenutzern Softwareprodukte zur Erstellung hochwertiger Druckgrafiken mit sehr hoher Geschwindigkeit zur Verfügung stellt. Diese Unabhängigkeit von Druckmaschinenherstellern ermöglicht es Hybrid Software Helix, Innovationen ohne Einschränkungen zu verfolgen und seine Technologien auf die einzigartige Roadmap jedes OEMs anzupassen.

Die Lösungen von Hybrid Software decken den gesamten Workflow ab – von der Dateivorbereitung über das Farbmanagement bis hin zur Bereitstellung von Druckdaten direkt an Tintenstrahldruckköpfe – mit höchster Geschwindigkeit. Die anderen Geschäftsbereiche bieten Software für Etiketten und Verpackungen, Farbmanagement, Integration und Projektmanagement sowie Artwork-Management für Marken und FMCG-Unternehmen. Zu den weiteren Unternehmen der Hybrid Software Group gehören die Spezialisten für industrielle Druckkopfantriebslösungen Meteor Inkjet und der Entwickler von Offsetdruck-Workflows Xitron.

„Wir haben vielleicht einen neuen Namen, aber unsere Werte bleiben dieselben“, fügte Bailey hinzu. „Hybrid Software Helix ist nach wie vor von Vertrauen, Zusammenarbeit und einem konsequenten Fokus auf Innovation geprägt. Die Helix-Identität verbindet unsere Ursprünge in Cambridge mit unserer Zukunftsvision – intelligent, innovativ und leistungsstark.“

 

ENDE

Global Graphics Software unveils major new version of SmartDFE with advanced tools for labels and packaging

See SmartDFE at Labelexpo Europe 2025 on the Hybrid Software stand, Hall 5, Stand 5E55
Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of core digital printing technologies and the OEM business unit of Hybrid Software, today announced a major new release of SmartDFE™, the intelligent digital front end platform that drives high-speed label and packaging presses. This latest version introduces two powerful tools that will enhance efficiency for label press operators, improve connectivity with Management Information Systems (MIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms, and help print service providers streamline operations for faster turnaround and greater automation.

The new Label Studio feature in SmartDFE gives label press operators the ability to do late-stage planning and prepare jobs directly at the press. This functionality is particularly valuable when access to the prepress department is limited, enabling operators to react quickly to production demands and maintain workflow efficiency.

For customers seeking an advanced prepress solution, Hybrid Software’s optional PACKZ and STEPZ software are also available. These powerful market-proven PDF editors provide an all-in-one toolkit for prepress and variable data printing (VDP) creation, specifically developed for the labels and packaging sector.

Built on Hybrid Software’s trusted CLOUDFLOW workflow suite, MISLink enables seamless connection to MIS and ERP systems, ensuring smooth data exchange and operational transparency. It includes a foundation CLOUDFLOW installation that can easily scale as business needs evolve, giving print service providers the flexibility to grow without disruption.

Hybrid Software’s highly experienced services team is available to assist in connecting SmartDFE with customers’ existing MIS and ERP systems. This collaborative approach ensures seamless connectivity and data exchange between workflows and backend systems, enhancing efficiency and streamlining operations.

“This new SmartDFE release represents a major step forward in driving efficiency and automation in label and packaging production,” said Justin Bailey, Managing Director, Global Graphics Software. “The new Label Studio and MISLink features give print service providers increased flexibility and the connectivity they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. We hope that OEM printer manufacturers and integrators visiting Labelexpo will take the opportunity to see this latest release with its intuitive WYSIWYG user interface.”

Last week, Global Graphics Software was formally presented with a King’s Award for Enterprise for SmartDFE. The accolade is the UK’s highest business honor and Global Graphics Software was one of only 46 companies in the UK to be recognized for outstanding innovation. For more information visit: www.globalgraphics.com/smartdfe

Global Graphics Software receives prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation

Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of core technologies for digital printing and the OEM business unit of Hybrid Software, has been presented with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, the UK’s highest business honor. The award recognizes the company’s outstanding innovation for SmartDFE™, an intelligent digital front end platform that drives high-speed label & packaging and industrial inkjet presses.

The award was formally presented at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge by His Majesty The King’s representative, Mrs Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, who was accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant Dan Schunmann, and Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Sergeant Major Bethany Carnegie.

Following an address from Mrs Spence, Justin Bailey, Managing Director of Global Graphics Software, accepted the award on behalf of the company. The ceremony included the reading of the official citation, signed by The King and the Prime Minister, and was followed by a celebration with employees and guests.

Mrs Spence commented: “It was a real pleasure to present Global Graphics Software with their much-deserved King’s Award for Innovation. They are at the pinnacle of a 500-year link that Cambridge has with the printing industry, catapulting the industry into the 21st century with their SmartDFE, an intelligent, AI-accelerated software system that drives high-speed digital label and packaging printing presses. On behalf of the County, I want to congratulate them all for their world-leading endeavours.”

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” said Justin Bailey. “It recognizes years of research, development, and close collaboration with our customers and sister companies within Hybrid Software Group to deliver SmartDFE, a solution that has the potential to transform digital print for labels, packaging, and industrial markets. Today, we celebrate more than just an achievement for Global Graphics; we celebrate our people, our customers, our partners, and our role in making Cambridgeshire a hub of innovation and excellence. I feel honored to work with such talented people.”

The King’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious business accolade, celebrating outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity. This marks the second time Global Graphics Software has received the award, having been recognized in 2020 with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation for its ScreenPro™ screening software.

About Global Graphics Software
Global Graphics Software is a leading developer of smart software components for print OEMs and ISVs. Technologies include SmartDFE™, Harlequin Core™, ScreenPro Core™, PrintFlat™ and Mako Core™. Customers include HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. Global Graphics Software owns 100% of its Intellectual Property and is independent of any printer manufacturer. Global Graphics Software is the OEM Software business unit of Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG). www.globalgraphics.com 

Media Contact

PR & Marketing Manager
Paula Halpin
Email: Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926017

Global Graphics Software’s Mako Core SDK achieves Ghent Workgroup accreditation for both Jaws and the new Apex renderers

Global Graphics Software, Hybrid Software’s OEM business unit, is proud to announce that its Mako Core™ SDK has achieved accreditation from the Ghent Workgroup (GWG) for both its trusted Jaws® renderer and newly launched Apex™ renderer. The certification confirms that both renderers meet the GWG’s rigorous standards for quality, reliability and compliance, enabling users to streamline their workflows, reduce errors and improve efficiency.

Apex is a ground-breaking rendering technology that runs entirely on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), delivering high-quality results on screen or in a web browser with exceptional speed. It is particularly effective at rendering large, complex PDFs and can quickly inspect layout, colors, fonts, layers and other elements before printing. It is the first fully GPU-native Page Description Language renderer to handle the entire rendering workload on the GPU, freeing the central processing unit (CPU) used by Mako’s Jaws renderer for other tasks, such as imposition.

The GWG accreditation is based on the Ghent PDF Output Suite 5.0, a set of test files that thoroughly assess the conformity of PDF/X-4 workflows with the PDF/X-4 standard (ISO 15930-7:2010). The files identify potential issues in a PDF workflow with regard to color management, transparency handling, output accuracy and other aspects of PDF/X-4 compliance.

“We’re delighted that Mako’s Jaws and Apex renderers have gained Ghent Workgroup accreditation. The Ghent Workgroup files present a challenge to any renderer to get them right. We can now demonstrate that both Jaws and Apex have been independently validated to be robust and compliant. Our customers can be confident that they will achieve consistent, high-quality results,” says David Stevenson, Product Manager – Mako Core.

Mako Core is a powerful and flexible SDK for building prepress and print workflows. It offers developers unparalleled access to every component of a document, such as fonts, images, vector graphics, metadata, layers, and more, making it ideal for managed print services, document automation, and custom workflow solutions. It supports all major platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu, Alpine).

For more information visit: www.globalgraphics.com/mako.

Ends

About Global Graphics Software

Global Graphics Software, www.globalgraphics.com, is a leading developer of smart software components for print OEMs and ISVs. Technologies include SmartDFE™, Harlequin Core™, ScreenPro Core™, PrintFlat™ and Mako Core™. Customers include HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. Global Graphics Software owns 100% of its Intellectual Property and is independent of any printer manufacturer. Global Graphics Software is the OEM Software business unit of Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG).

Media Contact

Paula Halpin, PR & Marketing Manager, Global Graphics Software
Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com