Konica Minolta’s inkjet technology and the U.S. printing industry are both making headlines with major developments in innovation and leadership. Konica Minolta has earned the prestigious Japan Star Award, the top honor at the Japan Packaging Contest 2026, for a collaborative film-packaging system that uses water-based inkjet technology to print directly onto packaging film, eliminating printing plates and labels while reducing material waste and environmental impact. (KONICA MINOLTA) Meanwhile, PRINTING United Alliance President Dave Leskusky has announced that he will retire at the end of 2026 after 31 years serving the printing industry, including leadership roles at NAPCO Media and PRINTING United Alliance; he will remain with the Alliance as a consultant through September 2027 to support the transition. (members.asicentral.com) Together, the stories highlight two important sides of today’s print industry: rapid advances in inkjet and sustainable packaging technology, alongside a changing generation of industry leadership as longtime executives prepare to step aside.