Page 30 - PWM2024_JULY-AUGUST EBOOK

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Star product

Taktiful Reaktor and Kreator

Taktiful Reaktor and Kreator are two new products intended to help printers design and visualise embellishments

create these files with standard design soft-
ware such as Adobe Illustrator.
Initially Reaktor previews embellishment
effects on flat planes (ie sheets) rather than
3D objects (such as cartons, books or bot-
tles). However, it offers true 3D rendering
of embellishment effects on those planes,
such as raised and textured varnish.
Taktiful co-founder Carlo Ruas says that 3D
objects are in the pipeline for the future, as
will be the ability to render them into 3D
environments such as store shelves. Cast-
and-cure effects (micro-embossed diffrac-
tive varnish) are planned. As this is a SaaS
product, new features can be activated
without users having to reload or upgrade.
Reaktor can simulate a wide range of digi-
tal and non-digital embellishment effects
and supports complex layering like foil over
raised varnish. Matt, gloss and laminated
substrates can be simulated. It offers
What does it do? Taktiful Reaktor advanced visualisation options, including
Specifications adjustable lighting and environment simu-
Taktiful is a US specialist in digital When was it introduced and what lations. Live previews are standard.
embellishment implementation, set up Taktiful Reaktor: are the target markets? Most of the Scodix standard effects can
by Kevin Abergel in 2021. He is a mem- Functions 3D rotat- Drupa in May was the official launch be simulated, as well as those of inkjets
ber of the Abergel family that founded able on-screen pre- venue for all three, although the products from MGI, Duplo and Harris & Bruno
viewing of layered
MGI, the French company that makes PDFs with simu- were announced in April. (though the effects’ names tend to by copy-
the JetVarnish family of inkjet varnish lated embellish- Abergel says: “Reaktor primarily serves right, so Taktiful doesn’t use them). Liquid
and foil digital embellishment systems. ment effects, with the printing and embellishment sectors, and dry digital toner effects (such as metal-
Originally Taktiful offered mainly con- shared online focusing on businesses looking to enhance lics) can also be simulated. There’s a library
sultancy through a team of experienced access. their product presentations and proofing of standard foil types and colours, with
processes, and secondarily will serve agen-
commercial users, but it has now started Taktiful Kreator: cies and brand designers to get a better vis- options for customisation. Holofoils will be
added soon, with the ability for users to
developing MIS and creative software Functions ual understanding of how print upload their own patterns. Abergel says
dedicated to embellishment. Its first AI-powered analy- embellishment will translate from the that Reaktor will also gain some design
three products are Reaktor, which is a 3D sis of flat designs screen to the sheet.” functionality of its own soon.
proof-previewer for embellishment with suggestions
for enhancements
effects; Kreator, which uses AI tech- by embellishment, How does it work? What’s Reaktor’s USP?
niques to analyse source images and sug- with limited 3D Reaktor previews embellishment effects According to Abergel, this is the ability to
gest areas that can be embellished; and previewing, or full by creating a 3D on-screen version of the provide “a highly interactive, user-friendly
Taktify, which is an estimator with previews via design file, where the viewpoint can be interface for visualising and experimenting
detailed features for embellishment. Kreator moved so the effects catch simulated light with embellishment effects in real-time,
All are SaaS products which can be in the same way as physical samples would. significantly reducing the time and cost
accessed online from anywhere. Reaktor It is accessible via standard web browsers, associated with physical proofs.
allowing remote access from anywhere,
“It is affordable, simple and gives a great
is available now, while Kreator will go with different access privileges (so can be 3D visual that does not require complicated
fully live later this year. Taktify is so far shared with customers). It supports multi- 3D files to build. It is also built to simulate
only set up for US pricing, though layer PDFs, with spot colours named to des- existing technology renders as accurately as
Abergel plans to launch it into Europe ignate different embellishment effects possible, with attention to machine specific
next year. We are therefore concentrat- (such as spot varnish, textured varnish, dif- limitations and details. We are obsessed
ing on Reaktor and Kreator here. ferent foil colours and effects). Users can with getting it exactly right.”
“Drupa in May was the official launch venue for all three.”

30 PrintWeek MENA July-August 2024 www.printweekmena.com