When coating quality changes, the first place operators often look is the coating chemistry, anilox roll, dryer settings, or press speed. But there is another part of the process that can have just as much influence on consistent production: how the coating is being circulated. A coating system needs to do more than move fluid from a container to the application point. It needs to deliver coating consistently, maintain the right operating conditions, and keep the entire proce

A coating can look great on a technical data sheet, but its real performance is determined on press. Viscosity, transfer volume, anilox engraving, circulation, drying, substrate, and application speed all influence how a coating behaves once it enters production. When the chemistry and the equipment are treated as two separate pieces of the process, printers can be left making adjustments to get them to work together. Harris & Bruno takes a different approach. Our experience

Earlier today at the Printing United Expo 2026, Harris & Bruno announced the ExcelCoat ZRE, a new compact sheet coating system designed to bring chamber-anilox coating technology to a wider range of digital print environments. The ZRE was developed for printers that want to add coating capability without stepping into the footprint, automation, or investment level of a larger production system. It gives commercial printers and digital print providers a practical way to bring

High-speed inkjet has changed what printers can accomplish in a production environment. As press speeds increase, every step that follows the press needs to keep up. That includes coating. Harris & Bruno recently collaborated with HP and Billerud to create a new sample kit designed to showcase what coating can add to high-speed web production. The collection features ten different cards, each highlighting a different Aqueous or UV coating across imagery inspired by destinatio

End seals may be one of the smallest components in a coating chamber, but they have a direct impact on how well that chamber performs. Because seals are considered a consumable, it can be tempting to treat them as a commodity and purchase the lowest-cost replacement available. The challenge is that a seal that looks close enough is not necessarily engineered to fit or perform the same way as the OEM part. A small savings on the seal itself can quickly disappear when poor fit

Most coating system issues begin as small performance inconsistencies caused by gradual wear, coating buildup, aging components, or neglected maintenance that slowly impact overall system reliability over time. Operators may spend more time troubleshooting while coating quality becomes less predictable. In many cases, these issues continue growing because the system is not being evaluated by the people who understand it best. Harris & Bruno technicians know the equipment insi

A leaking coating chamber can quickly turn a routine production run into a costly cleanup. Coating dripping onto the press, inconsistent application, excessive consumption, and unexpected downtime are all signs that the chamber is no longer sealing or operating as intended. While the leak itself may appear to be the problem, it is usually a symptom of another issue within the chamber, blade, seal, or coating delivery system. Understanding where leaks begin can help operators

The Hidden Costs of Leaving Print Unprotected When a printed sheet comes off the press, it may look perfect. Rich color, crisp detail, and a clean finish can make it seem ready for delivery. But the journey from the pressroom to the customer's hands is where many printed pieces begin to lose their impact. So what happens when you don’t coat? Without a protective coating, printed materials are exposed to everyday handling, transportation, and environmental conditions that can

When it comes to coating performance, the right anilox roll can make all the difference. Whether you're developing a new application, testing a specialty coating, or looking to improve an existing process, selecting the right engraving is critical to achieving the results you're after. The challenge is that it can be difficult to know exactly which specifications will work best without running real-world trials. That's why Harris & Bruno offers our Anilox Loaner Roll Program*

Do you know the long-term impact a chamber blade can have on coating consistency, operator safety, anilox life, and overall production costs? The reality is that not all doctor blades wear the same, meter the same, or carry the same risks. While blade price is often the easiest number to compare, the true cost of a doctor blade is measured by its effect on the entire coating process. A Critical Part of the Coating Process The doctor blade plays a critical role in the coating

Anilox Engravings: Hex, Elongated Hex, Quantum, Diamond, Pins-Up, Trihelical In coating, consistency starts with the anilox roll. An anilox roll has a direct impact on how much coating is transferred, how evenly it is applied, and how reliably that performance is repeated from job to job. When the engraving is right, coating runs smoothly and predictably. When it is wrong, printers can see undesired outcomes such as uneven coverage, poor release, excess coating use, curing is

The ZRX at Hatteras Growth in print does not happen by accident. It comes from making the right investments at the right time, especially when those investments remove bottlenecks, expand capabilities, and create a more efficient path from job intake to finished product. A recent article from Printing Impressions on Hatteras highlights exactly that kind of strategy. The Hatteras approach reflects a broader shift happening across the industry. Companies gaining momentum toda

For years, lamination has been used as a solution for protecting print, improving durability, and creating a premium finish. Today, more printers are taking a closer look at what lamination really costs them in materials, labor, speed, and waste. What they are finding is that coating offers a smarter path forward. With the right coating system and chemistry, printers can achieve the protection, visual appeal, and tactile enhancement they need without the added plastic film, o

Digital printing has changed the expectations around finishing. Shorter runs, faster turnaround times, and tighter margins mean printers need coating systems that are reliable, efficient, and easy to run. For many printers entering the coating market, the first option they encounter is often a lower-cost roller coater. These systems may appear attractive at first, but they rely on decades-old technology that can introduce inconsistency, higher labor demands, and limitations i

Coating performance directly impacts quality, efficiency, and profitability. Gloss levels, durability, dry times, and downstream compatibility all influence how a job runs and how it is perceived by the end customer. In today’s production environment, those variables cannot be left to assumption. H&B’s Synergy Coatings were developed to bring greater control and predictability to coating application, and work perfectly with H&B’s chamber-anilox systems. Backed by the engineer

Digital embellishment is no longer a novelty in print. It’s become a strategic differentiator for printers, brands, and designers who want higher engagement, stronger visual impact, and better margins. That’s the core message Paul Furse shared as a guest writer on Taktiful in his article, “Harris & Bruno’s Digital Embellishment Momentum: Technology, Education, and the Future of Print.” In this interview, Paul highlights how what was once a niche add-on has evolved into a fou

Digital embellishment continues to gain traction across print markets, and that momentum was a key theme in a recent interview conducted by Taktiful with Harris & Bruno’s Paul Furse. Recorded during Printing United 2025, the conversation explored how embellishment is evolving from a specialty capability into a production driven strategy for printers looking to increase value and engagement. During the interview, Furse shared that Harris & Bruno saw sustained interest througho

We are proud to share a major milestone for Harris & Bruno: The first ZR has officially been completed at our Idaho manufacturing facility! In just a few years, this facility has grown from a vision into a fully operational production hub, and this moment marks a clear step forward in our ability to better serve the market with speed, consistency, and quality. Completing the first ZR in Idaho reflects growth, the strength of our team, the investment we have made in domestic m

A Strategic Move into High-Speed Digital Web Westcolour has taken a major step forward with its investment in the HP PageWide Advantage 2200 and the expansion into a new 15,000 sq ft facility in Bicester. The Interview with Printweek couldn’t have said it better: This upgrade reflects a clear focus on growth, versatility, and delivering higher-value applications through digital web production. As more brands lean on personalization, shorter runs, and faster turnaround, Westc

In a recent Taktiful Tuesdays interview with Eric Vessels, Harris & Bruno’s Paul Furse explored how digital embellishment is redefining print by combining creativity, technology, and tactile impact. The discussion centered on one critical insight: digital embellishment is no longer a niche luxury process. It is becoming a standard part of modern print workflows, driven by accessibility, speed, and new opportunities for engagement. The Knowledge Gap Holding Back the Market Eve