With more than 30 years of experience shaping the future of the printing industry, Francis A. McMahon has been a driving force behind innovation, education, and community building. After serving as Executive Vice President of Production Print Solutions and Senior Vice President at Canon U.S.A., McMahon recently accepted the role of President and CMO of Tecnau, which offers a portfolio dedicated to paper handling, monitoring, processing and finishing for the digital printing industry.
Before Tecnau and Canon, McMahon held leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard and Eastman Kodak, where he developed a strong foundation in marketing, strategy, and public relations. A passionate advocate for technology and industry collaboration, he has been instrumental in growing the Canon inkjet community through his work with thINK, and he remains a respected voice in graphic communications through numerous board positions and industry honors—including the 2024 Champion of Education award.
In this Q&A, McMahon reflects on his career, shares insights into the evolution of inkjet printing, and offers his perspective on what’s next for the print industry.
Reflecting on your career, how have you seen the inkjet printing industry evolve, and what have been the most significant technological advancements?
Great question. I remember being at HP in the late ’90s and visiting San Diego to see some early inkjet technology. It was a series of inkjet heads stretched across a wide sheet of paper. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the potential—how inkjet could change the game in speed, cost, efficiency, or application versatility. I was still focused on high-end, photographic-quality work from the Indigo side of the business.
“User communities are critical. You have to genuinely care about advancing the industry, not just your own company’s interests.”
Fast forward to today—inkjet has essentially taken over. Across the industry, we’ve seen continuous-feed toner devices largely replaced by inkjet. Why? Because of the cost advantages, higher speeds, and surprisingly, the quality. The image quality now rivals or exceeds what we once thought was only possible with toner or offset.
And then there’s finishing. That part of the process had to catch up. You can’t have great print without solid finishing solutions—especially for direct mail, books, and commercial applications. Thankfully, finishing technologies have risen to meet those demands, and that’s where many of the most impactful innovations have occurred.
Today, most R&D is focused on making inkjet even more efficient from a production standpoint. It’s no longer a niche—it’s the new standard.
As inkjet technology has advanced, how have user communities contributed to innovation and adoption in the industry?
User communities are critical. You have to genuinely care about advancing the industry, not just your own company’s interests. Throughout my career at Kodak, HP, and Canon, I’ve tried to put the industry first, especially the printers. If the pie grows, we all benefit.
These communities thrive on diverse thinking. When you get a room full of people with different perspectives—visionaries, entrepreneurs, practitioners—you create the kind of environment where ideas spark. Someone shares a thought, and others riff on it. Suddenly you have something tangible and impactful.
Look at Dscoop and thINK. Both were born from that type of collaborative thinking. I think about leaders like Jack Glacken and others who helped shape those groups. The goal wasn’t just to promote a product—it was to do better for everyone. Even today, advisory councils and forums like Printing United, INg, IPN, and the Inkjet Summit continue that mission. When manufacturers listen to customer input and act on it, meaningful progress happens. These communities are vehicles for that growth.
What challenges have you faced promoting inkjet technology over traditional offset printing?
The biggest challenge has always been: Why change? Offset is a comfort zone for many commercial printers, especially those who built their businesses on it. These are skilled craftspeople who’ve spent decades mastering the art. It’s what they know, and it’s been successful. But inkjet, and digital in general, requires a different infrastructure and mindset. That shift can be intimidating. Adoption wasn’t as quick as we once predicted because we underestimated resistance to change.
“The biggest challenge has always been: Why change?”
Now, timing is playing a role. The skilled offset workforce is aging out, and the younger generation isn’t entering the trades at the same rate. As these operators retire, it’s harder to find people to run the presses. Eventually, these shops need a solution—and inkjet offers a path forward. Plus, there is a rising demand for innovative automated finishing solutions as the workforce gets reduced.
Of course, inkjet also delivers efficiencies and capabilities that are especially important for shorter runs, personalization, and digital workflows. Those benefits matter, but in many ways, it’s the workforce transition that’s accelerating inkjet adoption now.
What are the emerging trends in inkjet printing professionals should be watching?
The biggest trend is around finishing. Companies are realizing that their inkjet presses aren’t just one-trick ponies. With the right finishing solutions, they can expand into new markets—books, direct mail, cards, specialty applications—you name it.
The line between specific applications is blurring. If you’ve got the right technology, you don’t have to limit yourself to one vertical. You can be nimble. One inkjet press, properly integrated, can serve multiple business needs with minimal overhead.
That’s the magic of today’s systems—they’re versatile, sustainable, and scalable. Your investment keeps paying off.
How have your experiences shaped your view of the industry’s direction and customer needs?
My father encouraged me to go into sales, and that advice made all the difference. Being out with customers helped me understand how businesses really work—what drives their decisions, what they value, and how relationships are built. What I learned early on is that relationships are everything. People want to know you care, that you’ll support them when it matters. Technology comes and goes, but trust, credibility, and consistency are what endure.
“Technology comes and goes, but trust, credibility, and consistency are what endure.”
Throughout my time at Kodak, HP, and Canon, I’ve seen how much value comes from gathering diverse minds together—through user groups, advisory boards, or collaborative events. Those conversations have directly influenced R&D and shaped product roadmaps.
If I’ve had any real success, it’s been in finding people who share a common purpose, people who believe in helping others and moving the industry forward together.
What’s your advice for the next generation of inkjet leaders?
Surround yourself with kind, collaborative people. Avoid the self-centered or egotistical types. Leadership is about building something bigger than yourself, and that starts with community and compassion.
Kindness isn’t soft; it’s strategic. It creates strong teams, builds trust, and leads to meaningful results.
And always keep a broader perspective. You may have personal goals, but if you focus on helping others and being of service, success will find you in ways you never expected. Creating happiness for others is the ultimate reward—and it always comes back to you.
