Cyan Tec Systems is proud to announce its participation at Printing United Expo 2026, where the company will showcase its innovative Robojet solution, a digital inkjet printing machine, to visitors from across the global printing industry.
Designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality, flexible, and efficient direct-to-shape printing solutions, the Robojet represents the latest advancement in digital inkjet technology. Combining precision engineering with advanced automation, the system enables manufacturers and print providers to achieve exceptional print quality while improving productivity and reducing operational costs.
The Robojet has been developed to offer outstanding versatility across a wide range of applications, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to enhance their production capabilities. Its robust design, user-friendly operation, and high-speed performance allow companies to respond quickly to changing market demands while maintaining consistent quality standards.
Visitors to the Cyan Tec Systems stand at Printing United Expo 2026 will have the opportunity to see the Robojet in action through live demonstrations, including the printing of commerial hard hats. The sales and technical team will be available throughout the event to discuss how digital inkjet technology can help businesses streamline production processes, reduce waste, and unlock new opportunities in customisation and short-run printing.
As the printing industry continues to evolve, including direct-to-object printing, automation and digital transformation remain key drivers of growth. Cyan Tec Systems is committed to supporting customers with innovative technologies that improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The Robojet reflects this commitment by delivering a future-ready solution that combines cutting-edge performance with operational reliability.
Printing United Expo 2026 provides the perfect platform for Cyan Tec Systems to engage with customers and partners alike, demonstrating the capabilities of the Robojet and other inkjet solutions within the companies portfolio, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of print technology.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Cyan Tec Systems booth (C2277) to learn more about how the Robojet offering can transform modern printing operations.
https://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Robojet-1.jpg8811039Marketinghttps://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Cyan-Tec-Logo-2017-80x80.pngMarketing2026-08-27 13:13:052026-08-27 13:15:37Cyan Tec Systems to Showcase Robojet Digital Inkjet Printing Technology at Printing United Expo 2026
For years, direct-to-shape printing has promised manufacturers a more flexible way to decorate products. The ability to print directly onto an object rather than applying labels, transfers or secondary processes offers obvious advantages. Yet one challenge has remained constant: objects are rarely flat.
From sports equipment and drinkware to automotive components and consumer products, real-world products come with curves, handles, contours and irregular surfaces that can make traditional printing difficult.
This is where robotics is beginning to change the conversation.
Developed by Cyan Tec, Robojet combines industrial robotics, inkjet printing, curing and pre-treatment technologies into a modular platform designed specifically for direct-to-shape applications. Rather than forcing products to fit around the limitations of a printer, Robojet allows the print process to adapt to the product itself.
A Modular Approach
At the heart of the system is a programmable architecture built around a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), which acts as the brain of the platform.
The PLC controls the workflow, coordinating everything from barcode scanning and product recognition through to robotic movement, pre-treatment, print execution and final curing.
If a product enters the system and a barcode is scanned, the PLC determines what the item is and instructs the robot on the exact process required. The robot arm becomes the physical extension of those instructions, positioning products and printheads with precision throughout the production cycle.
Alongside this sits a customised HMI (Human Machine Interface), designed specifically around the customer’s application. Where the PLC is the brain, the HMI serves as the eyes of the system, giving operators visibility and control over production.
This modular architecture allows Cyan Tec to configure each installation according to customer requirements, whether that means adjusting pre-treatment methodology, print resolution, colour configuration, curing stages or material handling systems.
More Than Just Printing
One of Robojet’s key strengths is that it extends beyond simply placing ink onto an object.
Many substrates require preparation before printing can take place. Depending on the material, this may involve plasma treatment or corona treatment to improve surface energy and ensure the ink bonds correctly.
Cyan Tec’s development team works with customers to identify exactly what level of treatment is required, using in-house testing facilities to optimise adhesion and print quality before a system is deployed.
The same philosophy applies to curing. Customers can incorporate pinning lamps to partially cure inks during the print process, followed by final UV curing stages once printing is complete.
Where required, conveyors, handling systems, pre-treatment units and curing stations can all be integrated into the wider industrial inkjet platform, creating a complete production solution rather than a standalone printer.
What Can Robojet Print On?
The flexibility of the robotic approach opens the door to applications that would be challenging or impossible for conventional flatbed systems.
Recent demonstrations have included footballs and American footballs, products that present obvious difficulties due to their curved surfaces and complex geometry.
The system has also been used to print mugs with handles, another application that can be problematic for traditional direct-to-object printing equipment.
Sports footwear represents another emerging opportunity. Cyan Tec has demonstrated printing directly onto running shoes, where robotic positioning allows graphics to be applied accurately across irregular surfaces.
Even products such as guitar bodies can be accommodated, illustrating the growing range of applications where robotics and inkjet can work together.
What Does Robojet Offer That A Flatbed Cannot?
Flatbed printers remain highly effective for many applications, particularly where products are relatively uniform and flat.
However, once shapes become more complex, limitations begin to emerge.
A robotic system can dynamically adjust the position, angle and movement of the printhead relative to the object being decorated. This makes it possible to maintain consistent print quality across curved or irregular surfaces without requiring complex fixturing or multiple production stages.
More importantly, robotics enables a level of flexibility that aligns with one of the biggest trends in manufacturing today: mass customisation.
Whether it is personalised sports equipment, customised promotional products or short-run consumer goods, manufacturers are increasingly looking for ways to produce unique products efficiently. Robotics provides a route to achieve this without sacrificing productivity.
A Platform Built Around The Customer
Perhaps the most important aspect of Robojet is that it is not a fixed machine with a fixed specification.
The platform is designed to be configured around the application. Some customers may require advanced pre-treatment systems and multiple curing stages. Others may need a simpler setup focused purely on direct-to-shape decoration.
By building around customer requirements rather than forcing customers into a predefined configuration, Cyan Tec has created a system that reflects a broader trend across industrial printing.
As robotics, automation and inkjet technologies continue to converge, the future of direct-to-shape printing is becoming less about the printer itself and more about creating complete, flexible manufacturing solutions.
Robojet is a clear example of how that future is beginning to take shape.
https://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Robot-scaled.jpg13712560Marketinghttps://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Cyan-Tec-Logo-2017-80x80.pngMarketing2026-08-13 16:12:292026-08-27 13:16:31Beyond the Flatbed: How Robojet is Expanding the Possibilities of Direct-to-Shape Printing
Cyan Tec are launching a brand new robotic demonstration machine at Smart Manufacturing 2026.
Designed to showcase the companies high-competency in the manufacture of standard, modular and bespoke automated systems, the compact and capable machine is extremely eye-catching.
Thanks to the support of Cyan Tec’s key OEM partners; Fanuc, Gorman Dynamics, Schunk, Siemens, Underwoods Distribution, the deployment of this equipment from design to making its exhibition debut has been impressively fast.
If you are already planning to visit Smart Manufacturing, please visit the automation showcase on stand F40, in partnership with Fanuc Robotics. If you haven’t already registered, you can register here: https://shorturl.at/YzUDj
We are always happy to discuss your automation requirements, if you’d like to speak to our sales team, please get in touch by email, sales@cyan-tec.com.
In pursuit of further promotion of Cyan Tec’s robot digital inkjet printing capabilities, CEO Clayton Sampson took part in a panel discussion “The Reality of Robotics in Print”.
Hosted by FESPA in Barcelona, the panel analysed the data relating to the deployment of robotics in the wider printing industry, with Cyan Tec’s involvement offering real-life examples of applications. Typically, Cyan Tec’s integration expertise are used to install robots into semi and fully automated production systems.
With an envious reputation in the manufacture of standard, modular and bespoke inkjet systems, Cyan Tec have the capabilities to assist customers globally with concept design through to onsite installation.
For further information on how to automate your process, please contact our sales team on sales@cyan-tec.com.
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The below discusses how Cyan Tec, a UK-based innovator, delivers bespoke, automated solutions merging digital-inkjet expertise with cutting edge robotics to solve the most complex decoration and deposition challenges in modern manufacturing.
Broadening the application of inkjet technology into wider industrial applications requires an innovation-first approach, balanced with decades of engineering experience. For Cyan Tec, a ‘printer’ is never a standalone machine. It is a critical component within a broader manufacturing ecosystem.
Cyan Tec DNA
To understand Cyan Tec’s current position in the field, it is important to look at the origins of the company. Founder Clayton Sampson has been a foundational figure in the digital inkjet world for over 25 years. Long before inkjet was a staple of industrial manufacturing, Clayton was applying his expertise from the automation, machine tool and food-packaging sectors. His aim – to push the boundaries of digital technology.
In 2000, Clayton founded a company dedicated to the miniaturisation of UV-light sources. Not only was this a technical achievement, it was also a pivotal moment in the industry. As a result, the flatbed digital print market, as it is known today, was born. Spotting an opportunity to take the advantages of inkjet printing into new markets, Clayton founded Cyan Tec in 2007.
His ambitious mission was to design and manufacture digital-inkjet systems specifically for industrial applications. Today, Cyan Tec remains a privately owned, British family business, based in Leicestershire, England. While the company has grown into a global exporter, it retains core values of agility and dedication to quality. The company has become a go-to partner for industries where failure is not an option. These include pharmaceuticals, aerospace, medical devices and automotive manufacturing.
The Power of Integration
The primary challenge in modern manufacturing is that industrial solutions rarely exist in isolation. This is where Cyan Tec separates itself from the competition. While many companies sell ‘inkjet solutions’, Cyan Tec offers ‘automated results’. Cyan Tec’s expertise in wider automation provides the company with a proficient ability to deliver at scale. Its expertise spans a wide range of turnkey equipment, including:
Bespoke high-power laser systems – The UK’s leading high power laser integrator, Cyan Tec provides turnkey systems for laser marking, cutting, welding, cleaning and ablation.
Complex robotics – The company’s portfolio includes robotic assembly, leak testing, machine tending and precision adhesive dispensing.
Comprehensive production lines – Cyan Tec integrates the entire ‘nervous system’ of a process. This includes feeding parts from bulk, palletising finished products, machine-vision quality control and the management of complex curing and cleaning cycles. By treating inkjet as a single component within a larger automation chain, Cyan Tec ensures that its systems are not just additions to a factory, but integral drivers of efficiency.
Unlocking New Dimensions
The versatility of Cyan Tec’s technology is a standout feature. The business remains resolutely focused on integrating the ‘right’ package for the customer’s specific ink and application requirements. Cyan Tec regularly integrates hardware from most major printhead manufacturers. Whether it is printing high-fidelity graphics on high-end consumer footwear or high-volume or single pass printing of tokens, each customer problem receives a dedicated solution.
Bespoke printing solutions have been used to apply graphics to a wide variety of products, across a huge range of sizes and shapes. Substrates include wood, glass and a wide range of metals and plastics. One exciting frontier for Cyan Tec is nongraphical industrial applications. Inkjet is an enabling technology for the precision deposition of functional coatings. A prime example is the company’s work in the automotive sector, applying ‘piano black’ finishes to interior trim and centre consoles. By replacing traditional spraying processes with precision inkjet, Cyan Tec generates an 80% material saving. This is a game-changer for manufacturers looking to reduce waste while improving finish quality.
Robojet Platform
The crown jewel of Cyan Tec’s innovation is the Robojet platform. Early on, the company recognised that industrial robots were the key to unlocking 3D-part decoration. As a result, Cyan Tec formed strategic partnerships with robotics leaders Fanuc and ABB. Cyan Tec has been delivering robotic printing solutions for over 16 years.
A standard Robojet cell builds on a modular, scalable architecture to create a power house of efficiency. This architecture builds around sophisticated robotic manipulation of the object. Integrating surface preparation – often plasma treatment for optimal adhesion with full-colour, high resolution, digital-ink deposition, pinning and curing – in-line UV curing for immediate finishing.
Perhaps most impressive is the speed of implementation. Cyan Tec uses 3D printing for custom fixturing and advanced offline robot programming. As a result, a Robojet cell can often be programmed and configured, for a brand new product, in under two hours. This robotic approach allows for complex pathing on curved or irregular surfaces that would be impossible for a standard printer.
Furthermore, the robot can handle machine tending duties directly. This makes the system extremely easy to drop into an existing production line.
Global Partner – British Values
From its Leicestershire base, Cyan Tec has built a worldwide reputation. It is proud to export equipment to the most demanding markets in Europe, Asia and the US. The company’s success is built on a foundation of ‘quality first’, maintained through rigorous ISO 9001 certification and a proven process for project management.
However, what truly sets Cyan Tec apart is its team. The business employs a multidisciplinary group of highly skilled engineers who thrive on ‘impossible’ projects. The dedication of the Cyan Tec team delivers quality solutions for customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
With over 18 years as a trusted partner in the digital-inkjet space, Cyan Tec has proven that the intersection of inkjet and automation is a fertile ground for innovation. The company provides the competitive edge required to succeed in a market defined by mass customisation and late-point differentiation.
A bespoke, automated inkjet solution from Cyan Tec is able to revolutionise manufacturing processes and unlock new levels of efficiency.
https://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CyanTec57-scaled.jpg25601704Marketinghttps://cyan-tec.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Cyan-Tec-Logo-2017-80x80.pngMarketing2026-02-19 15:41:042026-02-20 13:56:10Robojet & Beyond: Bridging The Gap Between Inkjet and Automation
A trip to Future Print 2026 for Cyan Tec’s commercial team is on the cards this January, with doors opening for the industrial printing show on 21st January 2026.
A chance to present the companies integration capabilities to a wide range of industry professionals is a welcome platform to support Cyan Tec’s growth in robotic integration using specialist inkjet technology.
Hosted by an expert Future Print team, the event is held at the fantastic Motorworld Arena in Munich between 21st and 22nd January, so if you are looking for the inspiration in how you can transform your process into an industrial inkjet application, come and see our team’s presentation in the Kohlebunker Hall (Showcase Theatre).
Cyan Tec are delighted to be a part of the 2026 SPIE Photonics West Exhibition in San Francisco, California, USA.
Showing off the companies high-quality integration of industrial laser systems, the exhibition is described by the organisers as “a place to find the providers of the best solutions, components, instruments, and system support from around the world”. Given the long-standing partnerships with the leading laser source and head manufacturers, Cyan Tec are certainly best place to offer the global market with the best automation solutions.
If you are visiting the show (Moscone Center and Moscone West) during the dates of 20/1/26 and 22/1/26, be sure to stop by and discuss your automation requirements with Cyan Tec’s enthusiastic sales team. Alternatively, for more information on laser systems, please follow this link: Industrial Laser Systems | Cyan-Tec
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Cyan Tec’s Managing Director, Tony Jones and Operations Director, Dave Lowen, ,were honoured to be invited to attend the launch event of Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL Aircraft, Valo, in London.
The aircraft that is importantly manufactured in the UK, is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph with zero operating emissions. With the aim of achieving airline-level safety certification in 2028, the Valo is expected to be shuttling clients across commercial routes such as airport to city center connections in the near future.
Cyan Tec are proud to be the supplier of a number of advanced automated systems for key component manufacture for Vertical Aerospace.
If you have a requirement for laser, inkjet or general automation-based equipment, please contact our sales team on 01509 815186 or sales@cyan-tec.com.
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Cyan Tec attended the Industrial Print Integration Conference 2026 in Neuss, Germany in November.
Promoted by ESMA, the conference is an excellent way to network with current and new suppliers and customers in the automated industrial inkjet markets.
Cyan Tec promoted the companies capabilities of industrial inkjet integration, including the design and manufacture of a novel “Robojet” system. Specially designed to print onto 3D shapes, the Robojet machine is a fully automated solution that can be standalone or integrated into a fully automated production line.
Cyan Tec CEO, Clayton Sampson, provides insights into inkjet printing with robots during the Industrial Print Integration Conference in Neuss Germany.
To learn more about Cyan Tec’s machine design and build capabilities, please visit Industrial Inkjet | Cyan-Tec or contact our sales team via sales@cyan-tec.com.
Cyan Tec are pleased to announce that the company have been nominated for “The Most Innovative Solution” for 2024/2025 for its Robojet RJ3-54RH digital inkjet printing system.
A machine that is novel, high impactful and shows remarkable creativity and resourcefulness in the world of automation, the Cyan Tec Robojet RJ3-54RH promotes the expert robotic and inkjet capabilities with the Cyan Tec team. Designed to print onto complex surfaces, the integration of the IRB 1200 from ABB gives the machine ultimate flexibility when proposing a robust solution to potential clients.
With innovation being one of the driving forces in the automation industry, Cyan Tec’s creative minds are constantly challenging the limits of which the ABB robot systems can be used in industrial applications.
The AVP awards take place in Brussels 16-18th September, where Cyan Tec employees will meet with other Value Providers to network and collaborate on projects of the future.
If you have any robotic or general automation enquiries, please contact the sales team on sales@cyan-tec.com.
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