Sharp and Duplo Alliance Unlocks High-Value Print Embellishments

MONTVALE, N.J. – July 16, 2026 – In a significant move set to enhance the capabilities of production print providers, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today announced a strategic collaboration with Duplo USA Corporation. The new alliance streamlines the process for acquiring and integrating industry-leading print embellishment technologies, creating a unified ecosystem that pairs Duplo’s sophisticated off-line finishing equipment with Sharp’s advanced BP-1200S 6-Color Production Print Platform.

Historically, print providers seeking to add high-value finishing capabilities like spot UV, foil, and tactile effects often had to navigate complex, multi-vendor procurement and integration processes. This new framework dismantles those barriers. Now, production print businesses can purchase Duplo’s acclaimed digital embellishment solutions directly from Sharp or its authorized dealer network as a cohesive package, ensuring seamless compatibility and a simplified path to expanding their service offerings.

A Unified Ecosystem for High-Value Applications

The core of this collaboration is the creation of a powerful, end-to-end solution for producing premium printed materials. It combines the expanded color and specialty toner capabilities of Sharp’s BP-1200S press with the tactile and visual enhancement technologies that have made Duplo a leader in the finishing space. Specifically, the alliance integrates Duplo’s DDC-810 Pro Raised Spot UV Coater, DFL-700/500 Foil/Laminator, and the DFL-200 Xpress Foil into the Sharp production print environment.

This synergy enables print providers to move beyond standard CMYK output and into the lucrative world of high-margin applications. With this integrated system, creating dimensional spot UV effects, raised tactile finishes, and brilliant metallic foil accents becomes an in-house capability, transforming standard printed pieces into premium products that capture attention and command higher prices.

“This collaboration with Duplo reflects Sharp’s commitment to expanding the creative and revenue potential of the BP-1200S platform,” said Dino Pagliarello, Vice President, Product Management and Production Print at Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “By pairing our 6-color production print capabilities with Duplo’s sophisticated embellishment technologies, we’re enabling print providers to deliver visually striking, high-value applications that stand out in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mimi Palomo, Partner Alliance Director of Duplo USA, stated, “We are excited to align with Sharp to bring our on-demand print embellishment products to the BP-1200S platform. By combining Sharp’s exceptional 6-color print technology with Duplo’s digital finishing solutions, print providers can create more premium applications that help their business stand out and deliver greater value to their customers.”

Beyond CMYK: Expanding Creative and Revenue Potential

In a market where differentiation is paramount, the ability to add sensory appeal to printed materials is a significant competitive advantage. The Sharp-Duplo alliance directly addresses this growing demand. Industry analysis confirms a rising trend in the print embellishment sector, driven by brands seeking to create more memorable and impactful physical marketing collateral in a digitally saturated world. By bringing these sought-after services in-house, print providers can eliminate outsourcing costs, reduce turnaround times, and retain a much larger portion of the value chain.

The combined technologies make it easier than ever to produce a wide array of specialty products. This includes luxury business cards with raised lettering, premium brochures with spot gloss highlights, captivating book covers, direct mail pieces with tactile enhancements that boost engagement, and high-end marketing collateral. The system is also ideal for creating short-run packaging prototypes, allowing brands to test and refine designs with professional-grade finishing.

This strategic partnership empowers print providers to not only attract new customers but also to deepen relationships with existing clients by offering a broader spectrum of creative possibilities. For graphic designers, marketers, and brand managers, the ability to seamlessly integrate dimensional and metallic effects into their designs opens up new avenues for creativity, ensuring their final product is not just seen, but felt and remembered.

The Technology Powering the Partnership

The strength of this alliance lies in the formidable capabilities of the individual technologies. The Sharp BP-1200S is a versatile powerhouse, offering a 6-color engine that goes beyond CMYK to include specialty toners like gold, silver, neon pink, and clear. It delivers exceptional output at 2,400 x 2,400 dpi resolution and handles a wide range of media up to 400 gsm, all managed by a powerful Fiery print server for precise color control and workflow efficiency.

Complementing this press are Duplo’s specialized finishing solutions, engineered for precision and automation:

• Duplo DDC-810 Pro Raised Spot UV Coater: This device is a cornerstone of digital embellishment. It uses 600x600 dpi inkjet heads to apply a precise layer of clear polymer that can be varied in thickness from 15 to 80 microns, creating stunning raised and textured effects. Its most critical feature is an advanced CCD camera registration system, which reads marks on each printed sheet and automatically adjusts the embellishment layer to correct for any image shift, stretch, or skew. This eliminates the need for manual setup and ensures perfect alignment every time, making it ideal for short-run and variable data jobs.

• Duplo DFL-200 Xpress Foil: Designed as a compact and budget-friendly solution, the DFL-200 uses a toner-reactive process called sleeking to apply metallic foils to digital prints. Its automatic document feeder enables hands-free operation, making it highly efficient for producing foiled business cards, invitations, and certificates on demand.

• Duplo DFL-700/500 Foil/Laminator: This versatile 2-in-1 system offers both foil and lamination capabilities, providing an all-around enhancement solution for adding durability and metallic sheen to a variety of applications.

The off-line nature of this workflow provides crucial flexibility, allowing print shops to use the Duplo embellishment equipment for output from the Sharp BP-1200S as well as other presses in their facility, maximizing asset utilization.

Reshaping the Production Print Ecosystem

While competitors like Ricoh, Xerox, and Konica Minolta also offer paths to print embellishment, the Sharp-Duplo alliance distinguishes itself by creating a truly unified and accessible ecosystem. The ability for a print provider to work with a single, trusted partner—Sharp or its dealer network—for procurement, integration, and support simplifies the entire process of adopting these advanced technologies. This strategic synergy combines Sharp’s robust print engine and established market presence with Duplo’s focused expertise and leadership in digital finishing.

By integrating these advanced embellishment technologies into the Sharp BP-1200S digital press ecosystem, the two companies are empowering print providers to move up the value chain. It allows them to compete on quality and creativity rather than just price, opening the door to more profitable opportunities and sustainable growth. This partnership signals a clear path forward for print businesses looking to innovate, differentiate, and thrive in the evolving production print market.