Global Graphics Software has been honored with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation

Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of core technologies for digital printing and the OEM business unit of Hybrid Software, has been awarded the prestigious 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 & 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 their 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. Much of the drive for innovation has also been fuelled 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 has the potential to transform digital printing: it enables traditional printer manufacturers to more easily 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 first-class 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 programme, now in its 59th year, is 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.

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About Global Graphics Software

Global Graphics Software, www.globalgraphics.com, is a leading developer of smart software components for print OEMs and ISVs. Technologies include SmartDFE™, Harlequin Core™, ScreenPro Core™, PrintFlat™ and Mako Core™. Customers include HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. Global Graphics Software owns 100% of its Intellectual Property and is independent of any printer manufacturer. Global Graphics Software is the OEM Software business unit of Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG).

About the King’s Award for Enterprise
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 programme, now in its 59^th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Award Emblem for the next five years. Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 open on 6^th May 2025. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.

Media Contact
Paula Halpin, PR & Marketing Manager, Global Graphics Software

Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com  | Tel: +44 (0)1223 926017