Global Graphics Software achieves a King’s Award for Enterprise

Global Graphics Software, a developer of core technologies for digital printing and the OEM business unit of Hybrid Software, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise. The company has received the honor for its excellence in innovation for SmartDFE—the intelligent digital front end that drives high-speed label and packaging and industrial inkjet presses.  

Global Graphics Software is one of 197 organizations in the UK to be recognized. 

The company developed SmartDFE in response to growing demands of its customers, who increasingly needed to build inkjet presses that could handle extremely large files while printing at high speed. Global Graphics leveraged artificial intelligence to develop software that analyzes the files and then optimizes the system configuration to process them in real time as the press operates, enabling faster, more flexible production, reducing delays and enabling immediate adjustments.  

It ensures that press operators can confidently submit a job to the printer and maintain continuous, efficient production and minimize waste, according to the company. Much of the drive for innovation has also been fueled by a global shortage of skilled operators in the markets served by digital inkjet printer manufacturers. As a result, the ‘Smarts’ —the print domain expertise once held by operators—needed to be embedded directly into SmartDFE.   

Justin Bailey, managing director, Global Graphics Software, explained: ‘We are immensely proud to be honored with this most prestigious award from His Majesty King Charles III. Developing SmartDFE has been a journey that has seen our company transition from supplying software development kits to a complete platform that our customers can develop into their own customized digital front ends to be sold with their digital inkjet printers. Developing SmartDFE has brought a fresh and innovative culture to what was a mature business. It has helped us attract new talent and enabled us to create new patented technology. We are very grateful to our customers and partners who drove our innovation for their trust and support.’ 

SmartDFE enables traditional printer manufacturers to diversify into the digital press market by offering their own fully integrated products built on the SmartDFE platform. With its built-in intelligence, SmartDFE empowers press manufacturers to consistently deliver products without the need for specialized knowledge, and to do so quickly in a constantly evolving market. 

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognizing outstanding UK businesses. The Award program, now in its 59th year, is one of the most prestigious business award in the country. 

This is the second time Global Graphics Software has been honored with this award, having received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation in 2020 for its ScreenPro screening software. 

The company will attend a royal reception for King’s Award winners at Windsor Castle and will celebrate with all employees at its head office.