FuturePrint is dedicated to and passionate about the power of print technology to enable new opportunities and create new value. This pod features deep-dive discussions with the people behind the tech.
Send us Fan MailA printer that behaves like a production cell, not a flatbed. Frazer Chesterman sits down with Clayton Sampson, CEO of Cyan Tec, to unpack Robojet: a standard six axis robotic inkjet printer built for direct to shape printing on real industrial parts, not just flat materials.We talk through what Robojet is doing at Printing United for its first US showing, and why printing onto curved, awkward and high mix products is the point. You'll hear practical examples from the demo line, including hard hats, corrugated plastic parts, and even guitar bodies to prove the robot can follow complex edges. Clayton explains what makes the platform feel like a one stop mini factory: load station, optional plasma or other pre treatment, CMYK modules with white ink, then high power UV LED curing and an unload station ready for stock, shipping, assembly, or wear.We also dig into what matters beyond the spectacle: late stage differentiation for promo and sports branding, fast changeovers aided by offline programming and a digital twin, and the option to expand handling with jigs, a universal gripper, or a tool changer. On the industrial side, we look at applications that replace spray coating steps, cutting masking and overspray and, in some cases, reducing fluid use and VOC emissions dramatically. Clayton shares footprint and ROI realities, plus how partnerships with ABB, Siemens, and industrial printhead suppliers support deployment worldwide, with US distribution in place.If you're tracking industrial inkjet, robotics, automation, and sustainable manufacturing, this conversation is a clear snapshot of where direct to object printing is heading. Subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more people can find the Future Print Podcast.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailSeiko is known for precision, but the surprise is where that precision ends up: inside industrial inkjet printheads that can survive dust, heat and heavy-particle inks. We sit down with returning guest Ali Eranpurwala to map Seiko's 25-year journey into printing, starting with a story from Olympic timekeeping where handwritten results created avoidable errors and a simple question changed the trajectory: why not print the data directly?From the early days of the 510BN printhead in 2001 through the 508GS series, Ali explains the engineering choices that matter in production, including isolated channel technology to reduce crosstalk and open the door to faster, more stable printing. We then get into the moment ceramics became the proving ground. With the RC1536 and recirculation, Seiko targets the realities of ceramic tile printing: higher print gaps, higher throughput, viscosity fluctuations, and the need to run at genuine industrial speeds. The payoff is not only performance, but simpler machines too, thanks to a wider 108 mm print width that can reduce head count, electronics and ink systems.We also talk ink collaboration and lifetime testing, plus what Seiko plans to demonstrate at Tecna (booth number D1401): waveform work aimed at jetting higher viscosity inks around 45 cP on standard technology, and progress on water-based “glue” printing that supports lower emissions and more sustainable ceramics production. We close with a look ahead to the next 25 years, including a 600 dpi push and where Seiko sees opportunities across corrugated packaging, textiles, décor and embellishments.Subscribe for more, share this with a colleague in industrial printing, and leave us a review. What application do you think will drive the next big leap in inkjet?Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when an innovator refuses to accept that digital printing with HP Indigo technology on metal packaging is impossible?In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Augusto França of Vislo and Amir Raziel of HP about the development of InnoCan: an indirect digital-printing process designed to bring the quality, flexibility and responsiveness of HP Indigo technology to three-piece metal packaging.Augusto traces his journey from growing up around Brazil's printing industry to confronting the limitations of conventional can decoration. Working with canmaker Brasilata, he recognised that lengthy offset set-ups, ageing machinery, large production batches and costly inventories created a compelling need for digital production.The conversation explains how InnoCan prints onto a transparent film using HP Indigo ElectroInk before transferring the image to metal. A specialist coating developed with ACTEGA creates the required bond, producing a durable, high-quality result that can pass through established can-forming processes.Amir discusses why the project attracted HP's attention and why customer-led innovation is so powerful. Because the concept emerged from a genuine production environment, it addressed the complete application—including forming, slitting, coating, economics and market requirements—rather than focusing only on whether an image could be printed.The guests also examine how digital production can reduce waste, inventory and working capital while allowing conventional offset equipment to focus on longer runs. Most revealingly, they explain why the greatest barrier was not the technology but the willingness of people and factories to change.It is a story of curiosity, persistence and complementary expertise, and a compelling example of how collaboration can unlock entirely new industrial applications for digital print.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailElena Knight spoke to Jorge Ania of Studio DC, a surface designer who has spent his career teaching industrial printers to imitate stone, marble and wood. He told us why he disliked digital printing at first, how it went on to transform ceramic tiles, why in his opinion wood décor has lagged behind - and why, in his view, the machine is only ever half the story. Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailHot air drying has powered print and coating lines for decades, but it comes with a familiar trade-off: you heat the whole substrate, spend energy you do not really need to spend, and still fight limitations on speed and material choice. We sit down with Dr Kai Bär, Managing Director, President, and Owner of adphos, to get practical about an alternative: high-power photonic drying using near infrared energy that targets the liquid layer and absorbs where it matters most.Kai explains the core difference in working principle between conventional thermal drying and photonic processes, including the often-misunderstood point that “photonic” does not mean zero heat, it means better control of where heat is created and how it moves. We talk about why that matters for digital inkjet printing, coatings, labels, and especially packaging, where water-based inks on plastics and flexible packaging can be constrained by temperature sensitivity, solvent concerns, and cases where UV curing is a no-go for food or skin-contact applications.We also zoom out to the wider industrial picture: coil coating, paper manufacturing with high liquid removal, thermal forming, and emerging projects in printed electronics, solar cells, ultra-fast particle processing, and even lithium battery manufacturing. Finally, we tackle the cost question head-on, focusing on process cost, automation, reproducibility, and ROI rather than judging the technology by equipment price alone. If you find this useful, subscribe, share it with a colleague working on production upgrades, and leave a review with the one drying bottleneck you most want to solve.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailPrinting on curved packaging sounds simple until you try doing it at industrial speed without missing nozzles, wasting materials, or slowing production to a crawl. We sit down with Florian Fässler, Head of R&D for Digital Technologies at Polytype, to unpack how direct-to-shape digital printing has evolved from a promising alternative into a robust manufacturing process that can handle real-world airflow, turbulence, and uptime demands.We get into the technical leaps that matter most, including greater throw distance, modern inkjet printheads, and waveform optimisation that improves drop speed while reducing satellites. From there, we explore why manufacturers and brands are increasingly choosing digital direct-to-shape for short runs, rapid changeovers, and simpler logistics, especially in B2C and web-to-print models where lead times can be hours, not weeks. Florian also explains how printing directly on the container cuts label carrier waste and supports recycling goals while keeping inventory lean.The conversation moves from decoration to capability: variable data printing enables unique QR codes and barcodes within the run, opening doors to connected packaging, traceability, and smarter customer engagement. We also look ahead at AI and automation, from AI-generated artwork to operator support tools, predictive maintenance, nozzle sensing, and even what happens when procurement becomes agent-to-agent ordering. If you care about industrial inkjet, sustainable packaging, mass customisation, and the future of manufacturing networks, this is a practical, grounded listen. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with James MacDonald, Vice President of Nazdar's OEM Inks business, about why collaboration is becoming essential to the future of industrial inkjet.James explains how ink has traditionally been introduced relatively late in machine development—after decisions about printheads, curing systems and equipment architecture have already been made. As industrial applications become more complex, however, OEMs increasingly recognise that ink must be considered from the outset as a fundamental part of the complete system.The discussion explores how Nazdar works as a strategic development partner rather than simply a consumables supplier. This requires a detailed understanding of the substrate, application, production environment, printhead, curing process and required end-use performance. James also explains how early collaboration can shorten development cycles, reduce technical risk and improve the prospects of successful commercialisation.Marcus and James examine the balance between customisation and scalability, including how specialist formulations can become significant commercial opportunities as an OEM's installed machine base grows. They also discuss structured development processes, forecasting, manufacturing capacity, regulatory change and the importance of clear communication throughout a project.Above all, James argues that the next phase of industrial inkjet will depend upon closer cooperation across the technology ecosystem. Ink developers, printhead manufacturers, system integrators, raw-material suppliers, equipment builders and end users must align their technical and commercial objectives from concept to production.The message is clear: ink is no longer the final component added to a machine. It is central to the architecture—and ultimate success—of the complete industrial printing system.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailTwo seconds of scrolling versus 108 seconds of real attention is not a small difference, it's a completely different kind of marketing. Recording live from FuturePrint PodFest in London's West End, we dig into why physical media still cuts through when digital channels feel saturated, fast, and increasingly fragile. Hosted by Mark Stephenson of IPIA, with Dr Chris Jones from the Ministry of Marketing Effectiveness and freelance marketer Elena Knight, we challenge the tired “print versus digital” argument and replace it with something more useful: print plus digital as a multiplier for brand growth.We get practical and evidence-led, from dwell time and household engagement to the uncomfortable truth that marketers often measure what is easiest, not what matters. That's where the McNamara fallacy comes in: obsessing over clicks and last-touch attribution while missing brand salience, consideration, and long-term trust. We also explore the behavioural science behind print, including signalling, reciprocity, and how tactile media can encode memory in ways that fleeting screen impressions often cannot.From packaging to product passports, QR codes, and the convergence of physical print with digital experiences, we look at how modern print is becoming more measurable without losing what makes it powerful. We also talk about AI, platform volatility, and why education needs to catch up by teaching print effectiveness as a strategic part of the marketing mix, not just a design execution.If you care about brand building, marketing effectiveness, and smarter omnichannel strategy, this conversation will sharpen how you plan and how you justify budget. Subscribe, share the episode with a marketer who lives in dashboards, and leave us a review with your biggest question about using print in the marketing mix.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan Mail"We do not impose; we propose."Buskro built a strong European presence in direct mail and transactional printing, then went quiet as that market contracted. It never stopped engineering. Now, fifty years into the business, the Canadian family firm is returning to Europe with a different proposition.Frazer is joined by Frank de Jonge, Sales and Marketing Director for Buskro Europe, and Kyle Kropman, third generation of the family behind the company, to talk about Argo-108 and the wider Argo-Verse: a modular architecture built on common mechanical, electrical and software interfaces, designed so customers configure a system around the job rather than reshaping the job around the machine.The conversation covers why Buskro develops its own software, controllers and printhead drivers rather than buying a print engine and putting a frame around it; how monochrome, two-colour and CMYK configurations scale across print width and orientation; the collaboration with adphos to bring drying into the architecture as a module rather than an afterthought; RFID and traceability; and where the platform fits commercially against multi-million-euro fixed presses.There's also a candid section on evidence. Argo-108 has no installed customers yet, and both guests say so plainly. What exists is fifty years of engineering, a prior carton printing and labelling project that returned roughly $300,000 in annual savings on a six-month ROI, and strong reactions from recent shows in Germany and Mexico.Buskro will run the only live machine demonstration at the FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit in Valencia on 29–30 September, printing labels, corrugated board, pre-erected folding cartons and selected porous substrates.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailWhat role can marketing play in the transformation of a century-old industrial company?In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Jana Bachstein, Head of Marketing at Gallus Group, about brand, communication and the importance of making industrial technology more tangible, accessible and memorable.Jana joined Gallus three and a half years ago after working in B2C e-commerce and performance marketing. Arriving from outside print gave her a fresh perspective on an industry whose products are everywhere, but whose innovation is often poorly understood. She discusses the challenge of translating complex technology into engaging stories that connect with customers while remaining authentic to the company's heritage, expertise and culture.The conversation explores why effective external communication must begin with internal listening and alignment. Jana explains how working closely with colleagues across R&D, product management, sales and applications helped her understand Gallus before communicating its transformation to the market.She also considers how marketing can move beyond promoting machine specifications to demonstrate genuine customer value. This thinking has influenced the communication surrounding Gallus Classics, System to Compose and the wider vision for smart, connected production.The episode also examines the Gallus Experience Centre as a physical expression of the brand, bringing customers, employees and more than 20 industry partners together to exchange ideas and build trust.Finally, Jana reflects on balancing heritage with modernisation, maintaining momentum after major events such as Labelexpo 2026, attracting younger talent and helping Gallus communicate its next chapter with clarity and confidence.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Rob Karsten of Excelitas Technologies about the evolution of industrial inkjet and why its next revolution will depend on the complete manufacturing system—not any single component.Drawing on more than two decades of experience in UV LED curing, Rob explains how the technology has developed from a specialist proposition into a reliable industrial platform. He also explores how Excelitas's wider capabilities in UV, infrared, microwave and excimer technologies are helping the company support increasingly complex printing, drying, curing and surface-treatment applications.The conversation examines where digital print creates the greatest manufacturing value, from packaging and direct-to-shape decoration to wood, building materials, printed electronics and functional coatings. Rob argues that digital technology is most compelling when it changes production economics by removing tooling, reducing inventory, enabling customisation and bringing manufacturing closer to demand.Rob and Marcus also discuss the importance of reliability, total cost of ownership, measurable sustainability and the challenge of qualifying new industrial processes. They consider the growing influence of AI, machine vision, robotics and process data, alongside the need for connected curing and drying systems that can respond intelligently to changing production conditions.Above all, Rob makes the case for greater collaboration between OEMs, ink developers, printhead manufacturers, substrate suppliers, automation specialists and end users. Customers do not buy isolated components; they buy reliable outcomes. The future of industrial inkjet will therefore be shaped by intelligent, connected and energy-efficient systems in which printing, curing, drying and manufacturing operate as one.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailTwo old friends, forty years of history, and one incredibly honest book about workplace culture. In this episode, Elena Knight from FuturePrint sits down with Simon Edwards, Technical Director at Global Inkjet Systems, and Anthony Lee, a patent attorney at a firm in Adelaide, Australia, who go all the way back to studying physics together four decades ago.Together they've written Get Your Shit Together or Get Out , a short, sharp book about honesty in the workplace, why softened feedback does more harm than good, and how businesses quietly drift off course without anyone noticing until it's too late. Simon and Anthony talk candidly about why they wrote it, how they pulled it together in just a few months, and why they made it deliberately short enough to read on a single flight.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Nino Speranza from Interprint about how digital printing is transforming the global decor industry. The discussion explores the structural shift taking place across decor printing as manufacturers respond to changing consumer expectations, shorter production runs, expanding product variety, and the growing demand for customization. Nino explains how digital printing has evolved from a sampling technology into a true industrial production platform, enabling greater flexibility, faster time-to-market, and entirely new creative possibilities.The conversation also examines the continued importance of rotogravure printing, and why the future of decor manufacturing is likely to involve both analogue and digital technologies working side by side.Marcus and Nino discuss: Why shrinking order sizes are reshaping decor manufacturing How digital printing reduces commercial risk for designers and brands The growing importance of localized and customized decor collections Why thermoplastics and alternative substrates represent the industry's next major battleground The role of water-based inks and sustainability regulations How digital technology is changing the relationship between design and production Why decor printing increasingly influences emotion, experience, and wellbeing within modern spaces The episode provides valuable insight into one of the most fascinating intersections of industrial print, design, materials science, and manufacturing innovation.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailA regulation that can fine you for a single weak link in your supply chain forces a different kind of thinking. We sit down with Anna Roberts, Head of Market Development at IOV42, to unpack the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and why it is creating real urgency for timber, paper, packaging, and print businesses trying to trade with the EU.We get practical about what EUDR compliance actually involves: due diligence, traceability back to the plot of land, and the uncomfortable reality that “we've always done it this way” no longer holds up. Anna explains where the biggest concerns come from, including the scale of penalties, the difference between upstream and downstream obligations, and why print can be uniquely complex when products are composite and raw materials come from fragmented, global networks. We also clarify a point many people miss: scope is driven by the product and its HS code, so some finished printed materials may be out of scope while printed packaging, labels, and stationery can still trigger obligations.From there, we look at how to cut through the noise. We talk myth busting, mapping your supply chain, and why collaboration with suppliers beats transactional purchasing if you want reliable data. Anna also shares how IOV42's Interu platform uses automation and AI to reduce the endless back-and-forth of chasing information, while keeping humans in control and decisions explainable. Finally, we zoom out to place EUDR inside the wider EU Green Deal direction of travel, alongside other sustainability and reporting rules that make good data foundations a long-term advantage.Subscribe for more, share this with someone who buys paper or packaging, and leave a review to help others find the show. What part of EUDR are you finding hardest to pin down right now?Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailA football looks simple until you try to print on it. The curves, seams, and tricky surface finish make traditional flatbed approaches awkward at best. So we sat down with Grant Copson from Cyan Tec to unpack how RoboJet, a modular robotic inkjet printing platform, manages true direct-to-object printing with the kind of quality you actually want to put in front of customers.We walk through the full production flow, from plasma pre-treatment (with options like corona depending on the substrate) to multi-module inkjet printing with full colour CMYK plus white ink for darker products. Grant explains why UV pinning matters during printing, how the final UV cure locks in durability, and how a six-axis robotic arm gives you the freedom to manipulate complex geometry in open space rather than forcing everything under a fixed printhead. If you are searching for practical answers on UV inkjet printing, 3D object printing, robotic automation in print, or mass customisation, this conversation gets into the details without the fluff.We also dig into the engineering behind repeatability: bespoke moulds designed in 3D CAD, fixtures produced in-house on 3D printers, and a digital twin workflow that lets the team offline programme and test robot movements before ink ever goes into the machine. That means faster commissioning, less downtime, and a clearer path from prototype to production line. We wrap with where you can see RoboJet in action next, including live demos and upcoming events.Subscribe for more Future Print conversations, share this with a colleague who cares about industrial inkjet, and leave a review to help more people find the show.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailPerhaps surprisingly, the best wide format print projects rarely begin with print.Rather, they begin with an idea, a vision, a story, and a shared ambition to create something that moves people.In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson is joined by Stanislas de Missolz from Groupe MediaGraphic to explore the remarkable story behind their second consecutive success at the Kavalan Green Leader Awards. The discussion centres on the spectacular La Gacilly Photo Festival, Europe's largest open-air photography exhibition, where more than 800 large-format photographs transform an entire French village into an immersive artistic experience that attracts over 300,000 visitors every year. Marcus and Stan discuss how the project brought together photographers, event organisers, media specialists and material innovators to prove that sustainability and premium visual quality are no longer opposing objectives.Topics include: Why outdoor print demands exceptional colour accuracy and durability The importance of collaboration across the print supply chain How sustainable media is redefining expectations for large-format graphics Why immersive visual storytelling is becoming increasingly important Lessons the wider print industry can learn from one of Europe's most celebrated photography festivals Why sustainability is rapidly becoming the new benchmark rather than a specialist option This conversation demonstrates that the future of print is not simply about producing graphics—it is about enabling experiences, telling stories and creating emotional connections while reducing environmental impact.Check out this film that perfectly brings to life La Gacilly FestivalListen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we are joined by Edd West, Business Unit Manager for Continuous Inkjet (CIJ), Emma Anderson, Global Marketing Manager, and Charlotte Baile, who supported the launch of the new Linx 9000 Series at Interpack.The conversation explores a refreshing approach to industrial product development—one that begins not with technology, but with understanding the people who use it. Rather than asking customers what new features they wanted, Linx undertook a global Voice of Customer programme to understand the everyday pressures faced by production managers. The result was "Steve", a customer persona that became the guiding principle behind both the product's development and its launch strategy.We discuss why uptime, reliability and operational simplicity often matter more than technical specifications, how customer insight shaped innovations including automated cleaning, battery-backed shutdown protection and integrated code verification, and why removing anxiety from the production line can be a powerful form of innovation.The episode also examines the marketing strategy behind the successful Interpack launch, where Linx built its exhibition presence around real customer challenges rather than product specifications. From live demonstrations and immersive storytelling to partner engagement and PR, the discussion offers valuable lessons for any business launching technology into competitive industrial markets.More broadly, this conversation highlights a growing shift within manufacturing: engineering excellence remains essential, but the companies that truly stand out are those that invest just as much effort in understanding their customers as they do in developing their technology.Whether your focus is industrial printing, manufacturing, product development or B2B marketing, this episode provides practical insights into how customer-led innovation can become a genuine competitive advantage.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailDigital marketing moves fast, gets measured in clicks, and disappears in a day. Print does the opposite, and that tension sits at the heart of our conversation with Kierian Cameron, the founding editor of Brand Cult, the UK's first print-only business newspaper for entrepreneurs and founders.Kierian shares her unconventional path into publishing and brand building, then unpacks why Brand Cult stays intentionally offline. We talk about premium print media as a physical experience that changes perception: the feel of real newspaper stock, the way weight signals credibility, and why “just uploading a PDF” misses the point. If you care about print technology, print marketing, or how founders actually learn to scale and grow, you will hear how a well-made newspaper can become a tool for focus rather than another stream of noise.We also dig into the craft of building a brand world. Brand Cult arrives wrapped in tissue, sealed with a hand-poured wax stamp, and even carries a bespoke scent. Kierian explains how sensory details create recognition and emotional connection, and how that thinking extends to bold brand activation, including a travelling confession booth turned photo booth where founders share business sins and client horror stories at major UK business events.To close, we get practical about storytelling and strategy: why most brands make themselves the hero, how to flip the script so the customer is the main character, and why print forces you to be intentional because you cannot delete it 24 hours later. Subscribe, share this with a founder who feels stuck in the content treadmill, and leave us a review with your favourite print memory.Kierian has kindly given listeners a chance to sign up to receive Brand Cult at a discounted price using the code: FUTUREPRINTCULT which can be redeemed at brandcult.ukListen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailA corrugated box looks simple until you try to print something different on every single one, at speed, with the same reliability you expect from industrial production. We're joined by Charles Tonna, CEO at Buskro, and Christophe Merlier, VP of Research and Innovation, to explain how their 50-year heritage in mailing and high-throughput variable data is powering a new push into direct-to-box inkjet printing for packaging, pharma and food applications. We talk about what customers are really asking for right now: shorter runs, fast changeovers, start-stop capability, and less day-to-day printhead fuss. From there we get into the Argo platform and the idea of a modular printer that can scale as your needs grow, plus the practical value of being a fully integrated OEM that designs the transport, electronics, software, ink delivery and controls in-house. That approach matters when you want one accountable supplier for a complete print solution rather than a chain of vendors. You'll also hear the story behind Buskro iconic Blue Door, and why it represents more than a colour. We explore modern printhead capability, real trade-offs around speed, and a show-floor “shoebox printer” demo that makes personalisation feel tangible. Finally, we look at RFID printing and encoding workflows that link a unique tag to a unique box, opening the door to better tracking, inventory accuracy and customer experience. If you care about industrial inkjet, water-based printing, variable data, corrugated packaging and end-of-line personalisation, this conversation is built to spark ideas. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave us a review with your take: where should packaging print go next?Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Mark Stephenson about the launch of his new venture, The Spark Organisation, and why storytelling has become one of the most powerful differentiators in the print and technology industries.Drawing on nearly three decades of experience at Fujifilm, Mark reflects on the shift from traditional corporate communications toward more human, intuitive and emotionally resonant storytelling. In a world filled with “another grey box”, technical specifications alone are rarely enough to inspire confidence, build trust or create lasting customer relationships.The conversation explores why people remember how brands make them feel rather than simply what they say, and how authentic storytelling can help companies stand out in increasingly competitive and uncertain markets. Marcus and Mark discuss the importance of trust in B2B sales, the growing role of video and podcasts, the challenges of getting technical experts comfortable on camera, and why over-rehearsed corporate messaging often loses its emotional impact.They also examine how lockdown accelerated digital communities across print, the role of organisations such as IPIA, and why content should ultimately serve the audience rather than internal stakeholders.This episode is a thoughtful and often humorous discussion about communication, creativity, vulnerability, and the growing need for the print industry to connect through stories, not just specifications.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Natalie Thrall, Marketing Manager at Nazdar, about the changing role of marketing, storytelling and communication in industrial print.Operating in a highly technical world of ink chemistry, performance data and application expertise, Nazdar faces the challenge of translating complex innovation into clear, engaging and commercially relevant stories. Natalie explains why the most effective communication starts not with the product, but with the customer - what they need, what will help their business, and what will make complex technology easier to understand.The conversation explores how B2B buying behaviour is becoming more like B2C, with customers researching, validating and forming opinions long before direct engagement. Natalie shares how Nazdar is responding through a more focused content strategy built around R&D capability, sustainability leadership, new technologies and partnerships.She also discusses the growing importance of short-form video, visual proof, customer success stories and authentic brand voice. From high viscosity ink demonstrations to solar panels at Nazdar's California facility and inks used on NFL helmet decals, the episode highlights how technical performance can be made tangible and relatable.Natalie also reflects on the balance between storytelling and confidentiality, particularly in OEM work, and explains how internal alignment across R&D, sales and leadership helps create a stronger external message.A thoughtful discussion on how industrial brands can simplify complexity, build trust and communicate innovation with greater human relevance.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson is joined by Matteo Conte, Marketing Manager at Polytype, to explore the evolving role of marketing and storytelling in industrial print.While the sector has traditionally focused on technical specifications and performance metrics, Matteo argues that a shift is underway - from B2B to what he calls “B2H” (business-to-human). As digital transformation and global uncertainty reshape buying behaviours, industrial marketers are increasingly recognising the importance of trust, emotion, and human connection in decision-making.Matteo shares insights from his first year at Polytype, where he has focused on elevating the company's visibility and communicating its rich heritage, innovation, and global impact. He highlights the importance of authentic storytelling - grounded in reality rather than exaggeration - as a way to build credibility and differentiate in a crowded market.The conversation also explores how industrial companies can learn from B2C practices without losing sight of the unique dynamics of B2B, particularly when it comes to long-term investment decisions and multi-stakeholder buying processes.Finally, Matteo discusses Polytype's latest innovations, including DigiCan for beverage can printing and the hybrid “Prime Offset” solution, both of which reflect changing market demands and the growing role of digital technologies.A thoughtful and timely discussion on how industrial brands can communicate more effectively in a rapidly changing world.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Frazer Chesterman speaks with Steve Williamson, CEO of Global Inkjet Systems (GIS), about leadership, technology, market change and the future direction of industrial inkjet.Steve reflects on his four years at GIS, having joined the business from outside the inkjet sector after a career in RF, defence and security. He shares how his initial assumptions about the market changed as he came to understand the complexity of industrial inkjet and the engineering challenges behind print quality, reliability and integration.The conversation explores the role of GIS as an enabling technology partner, providing drive electronics, ink systems and software for a wide range of applications, from textiles, ceramics and labels to additive manufacturing, aerospace and complex direct-to-shape printing.Steve also discusses his leadership style, the importance of building a strong senior team, and the need for commercial discipline, profitability and portfolio clarity. He explains how GIS is strengthening product management, improving testing and stability, and diversifying across regions and applications to build resilience.Looking ahead, the discussion turns to partnerships, collaboration and the need for the inkjet sector to work more effectively across the value chain. Steve highlights growing interest in robotics, complex 3D shapes and applications beyond conventional print.With GIS approaching its 20th anniversary, this is a thoughtful conversation about the hard engineering, teamwork and strategic focus required to move inkjet forward.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Frazer Chesterman speaks with Edgar Llop and Aliasgar Eranpurwala about printhead performance, recovery, and the launch of a new diagnostic technology set to change how the industry measures print quality.The conversation centres on the introduction of ANA (Automatic Nozzle Test Analyser), developed by People & Technology and launched at Interpack. Designed to provide a detailed, data-driven assessment of printhead condition, ANA analyses printed patterns to identify missing nozzles, droplet deviations, clustering, and other factors that impact overall print quality.Edgar explains how the system moves beyond traditional visual checks, offering a precise “map” of printhead performance. This enables manufacturers, developers, and operators to better understand how printheads behave in real production environments, and to take a more predictive approach to maintenance and quality control.Aliasgar provides context from the Seiko Instruments perspective, highlighting the increasing demands placed on coding and marking applications. As the industry shifts towards more complex QR codes and higher data density, even minor defects can render codes unusable, making consistent print quality critical.The discussion also explores the realities of industrial inkjet environments, where dust, vibration, ink chemistry, and operator handling all influence performance over time. Together, these factors reinforce the need for both robust printhead design and effective maintenance strategies.A key theme throughout is collaboration. By combining Seiko's expertise in printhead development with People & Technology's capabilities in diagnostics and recovery, the partnership aims to extend printhead lifespan, improve reliability, and reduce total cost of ownership for end users.A timely and practical discussion on why measuring, maintaining, and understanding print quality is becoming just as important as achieving it in the first place.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Dr Simon Daplyn and Phil Jackman of Sun Chemical about the fast-evolving world of metal decoration, direct-to-shape printing and the growing role of inkjet in can production.The discussion begins by defining metal decoration, including the difference between three-piece and two-piece cans, and why each presents different production and decoration challenges. Phil explains how two-piece beverage cans are now becoming an important area for direct-to-shape inkjet, while three-piece applications continue to require specific ink and chemistry solutions.Simon and Phil explore why the market is changing now. Consumer behaviour, SKU proliferation, craft beverages, functional drinks, limited editions, regional campaigns and shorter product life cycles are all creating new pressure on packaging supply chains. Digital print enables brands to reduce minimum order quantities, avoid excess inventory, respond quickly to trends and decorate cans much closer to the point of demand.The episode also considers sustainability. With metal packaging gaining renewed attention because of its recyclability and circular potential, digital decoration offers further benefits by reducing waste, make-ready and obsolete stock.Finally, Phil discusses Sun Chemical's latest developments, including UV, low-migration UV and emerging aqueous ink technologies for metal decoration. These advances are designed to support a broader range of applications, including areas where traditional UV inkjet has limitations.A timely conversation on why metal decoration may now be entering a new phase of digital growth.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Christophe Imbert from Lubrizol about how digital printing is evolving in response to changing market conditions, and the growing role of chemistry in enabling that shift.Drawing on nearly two decades at Lubrizol, Christophe shares a perspective that connects materials science with real-world print performance.A central theme throughout the conversation is how global uncertainty is reshaping investment decisions across the print industry. While large capital investments are often being delayed, Christophe highlights how digital printing is continuing to gain traction as a more flexible, efficient alternative. Its ability to support shorter runs, reduce waste, and minimise energy and water consumption makes it particularly well-suited to a market that increasingly values adaptability.Sustainability is a key driver behind this shift. As Christophe explains, industries such as textiles are moving towards digital processes not only for flexibility, but also to significantly reduce resource consumption. The conversation explores how this is accelerating the adoption of water-based ink systems and more sustainable production methods, with digital printing positioned as a long-term solution rather than a short-term trend.The discussion also touches on regional differences, particularly the pace of change in China. Christophe notes the speed at which innovation is adopted and scaled, as well as the strong alignment between industry and long-term strategic investment. This dynamic is not only driving rapid growth in digital print, but also increasing competition, as Chinese companies become more responsive to global market requirements.From an application perspective, textiles remain a major area of growth, with a shift from dye sublimation towards water-based pigment inks across both small-scale and industrial systems. In packaging, the conversation reflects a more cautious market, with growing interest in smaller, more flexible print solutions alongside continued development in labels.Throughout the episode, Christophe emphasises the importance of looking beyond the hardware. Ink performance, dispersions, and the interaction between materials are critical to achieving consistent, high-quality results across different substrates and applications. As sustainability requirements increase, this level of technical understanding becomes even more important — particularly in areas such as recyclability and de-inking.Looking ahead, the message is clear: digital printing is not just an alternative production method, but an enabler of a more flexible, sustainable, and responsive industry. As market conditions continue to evolve, those able to align technology, materiaListen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Clay Oliff, President and CEO of Polytype America Corporation, to explore how the beverage can market is being reshaped by changing consumer behaviour, brand fragmentation, and the rise of digital direct-to-shape printing.Once defined by high-volume, standardised production, the beverage can industry is now evolving rapidly. Consumers are demanding more variety, faster product cycles, and more personalised experiences, driving the growth of microbrands, ready-to-drink beverages, and niche segments such as canned wine and functional drinks.Clay explains how traditional dry offset printing - built for scale and consistency - struggles to meet these new demands. In contrast, digital direct-to-shape printing enables rapid design changes, short runs, and even mass customisation, dramatically reducing time from concept to shelf.The conversation also explores how packaging is becoming a dynamic marketing tool, with brands using cans for localised messaging, personalised campaigns, and variable data such as unique QR codes.Sustainability is another key theme. Digital printing supports recyclability by eliminating labels and enabling direct decoration, while new ink technologies and processes continue to evolve in response to regulatory and environmental pressures.While still in an emerging phase, digital can printing is gaining traction, particularly among agile brands experimenting with new formats and marketing strategies.Looking ahead, Clay outlines how Polytype is investing in digital technology and positioning itself for a future where flexibility, speed, and innovation define success in the beverage packaging landscape.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Marc Graindourze from Agfa about the evolving role of inkjet in packaging printing, and how the technology is beginning to find its place in one of the most demanding areas of the print industry.Marc outlines the ongoing challenges that continue to define packaging print — from complex substrates and high production requirements to the constant pressure on cost. While these fundamentals haven't changed, the conversation highlights where inkjet is now gaining real traction, also for fibre-based packaging such as corrugated and folding carton.A key theme throughout the discussion is the relationship between packaging and the end consumer. Whether on a supermarket shelf or delivered through e-commerce, packaging plays a critical role in shaping perception and influencing buying decisions. As Marc explains, this is driving a shift towards more flexible, application-led print strategies — from globally consistent branding through to more localised, targeted production.The conversation also explores how this shift is impacting production models. Alongside high-output, centralised systems, there is growing interest in more compact, lower-investment inkjet solutions that can operate closer to the point of production. These approaches enable faster turnaround times, greater flexibility, and new opportunities for regional branding and short-run applications.From a technical perspective, Marc emphasises the importance of starting with the business case rather than the technology itself. The success of any inkjet solution depends on how well it aligns with the application — whether that's single-use transit packaging, high-quality branding, or functional requirements such as track and trace. In this context, utilisation becomes critical to achieving a viable total cost of ownership.The discussion focuses in particular on single-pass inkjet systems using water-based consumables, which are increasingly seen as a strong fit for packaging applications due to their productivity, compliance with food packaging requirements, and sustainability advantages. Marc also highlights the importance of consumables within the system — including primers, inks, and varnishes — and how their interaction ultimately defines print quality, consistency, and durability.Looking more broadly, the conversation reinforces that there is no single solution for packaging print. Instead, the modular nature of inkjet allows systems to be tailored to specific applications, from lower-cost, localised corrugated printing through to high-end, full-colour production for sectors such as FMCG, pharma, and luxury goods.Marc's central message is clear: success in inkjet packaging depends on collaboration.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailYou can feel how close we are to a world where your “digital agent” can take the meeting for you. The unsettling part is not the tech, it is the question it forces: what is left for humans when a bot can summarise, persuade, and perform?Sitting face to face with Dave Erasmus, we dig into the piece that still resists automation: the messy, emergent creativity that happens when two people actually share time, pay attention, and build trust.Dave's story is a masterclass in interdisciplinary learning. He has ridden major technology waves, stepped away to live off-grid in the woods, built global community through online video, and now finds his purpose reshaped by his daughter Mila's life on dialysis and her upcoming kidney removal. That personal reality grounds our conversation about AI, thought leadership, and what “good work” looks like when the future feels less predictable.We unpack Dave's three paradigms of knowledge: Britannica as gatekept knowledge, Wikipedia as crowdsourced knowledge, and a new AI-generated layer where machine-written pages like “Grocopedia” can end up cited as sources. From there we tackle trust, polarisation, and why we may all need a cognitive gym to protect our thinking. We also bring it back to the future of print technology, manufacturing innovation, and how “stumble-along” breakthroughs can jump fields when the right people share stories.Subscribe, share this with someone building in tech or print, and leave a review if it sparks a new way of thinking about learning, trust, and the AI era.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailSingle-pass inkjet is no longer just “printing faster”, it is changing how manufacturers mark, identify and customise products on the line. We sit down with Ruud Oderkerken and Sven Bongartz from Bergstein in the Netherlands to unpack what's driving the shift to direct-to-object digital printing as production runs fragment, labour costs rise and sustainability targets tighten.We get specific about where industrial inkjet delivers real value: replacing labels with durable printing onto parts, adding variable data like QR codes and barcodes for traceability, and keeping output stable even when jobs change constantly. Ruud explains how a modern single-pass platform combines surface treatment, primers, colour capability and optional vision systems to protect adhesion and print quality across different substrates, while staying modular so customers can add capabilities as their needs grow.Software becomes the through-line of the conversation. We explore why Bergstein builds key tools in-house and what its Print Manager means for the factory floor, from connecting ERP to the printer to managing workflow, multi-printer control and remote servicing. We also talk ROI with a concrete business case and preview the Digi1, a compact tabletop-style system aimed at making the jump from pad printing to digital far easier, backed by an expanding partner network across Europe and the Americas.If you want more on industrial inkjet, single-pass digital printing and direct-to-object manufacturing workflows, subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review with your biggest question about going digital.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Stefano Rogora, Marketing Manager EMEA at INX Europe, about the evolving role of ink in a rapidly changing print and packaging landscape.Stefano outlines three major shifts reshaping the industry: the structural move towards packaging, the growing impact of regulation - particularly in Europe - and the increasing complexity of applications. Together, these forces are driving a transition from a product-led market to a solution-led one, where technical expertise and application knowledge are more important than ever.The conversation explores why ink is far more complex than many assume, particularly in packaging applications where performance depends on substrate, process conditions, and even the contents of the pack itself. Stefano also introduces INX's three-stage framework - upstream, operational, and downstream - to explain how the company approaches the full lifecycle of packaging, from raw materials through to recycling.Key themes include the role of regulation as a driver of innovation, the shift towards monomaterials and paper-based packaging, and the convergence of flexo, gravure, and digital technologies. The discussion also highlights the importance of global scale combined with local expertise, and why people and application knowledge remain critical differentiators.Looking ahead, Stefano makes it clear: sustainability is no longer just a trend - it is the central force shaping the future of packaging and print.A practical, insightful discussion for anyone navigating the increasing complexity of modern print production.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson welcomes back Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus Group, for a timely and far-reaching conversation about the structural changes reshaping print, packaging and the wider industrial economy.Two years ago on this podcast, Dario predicted that the market was not simply going through a temporary downturn, but entering a more fundamental reset. In this follow-up discussion, he explains why he still believes that this is happening now - and why the old pre-2019 model of global stability, easy growth and predictable supply chains is not coming back.The conversation explores the long-term macro forces behind this reset, including demographic decline, labour shortages, geopolitical fragmentation, inflation, supply chain disruption and the end of the old globalised operating model. Dario explains why these are not cyclical challenges, but structural ones, and what that means for converters and label printers trying to plan for the future.Marcus and Dario also discuss what the most successful print businesses are doing differently, why mindset matters as much as machinery, and how technology must now be viewed not only as a productivity tool, but as a resilience tool. Key themes include modularity, smart connected printing, workflow, total cost of ownership, operational flexibility and long-term investment security.Dario also reflects on the thinking behind Gallus's System to Compose strategy and why modular production environments may be increasingly important in a more volatile world.A thoughtful, realistic and ultimately optimistic conversation about what print businesses need to do now to adapt, invest and grow.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIf you've ever admired a huge billboard or a flawless event backdrop and wondered what it costs the planet to make it, this conversation goes straight to the uncomfortable bit the print industry often skips. Speaking to Nova Abbott from Kavalan, the PVC-free materials brand known for “Be Clean Print Green”, one point came through clearly. The real test is not whether sustainability is mentioned at the end of a project, but whether it has shaped the thinking behind it. We unpack the Kavalan Green Leaders Awards and why they exist in the first place: to celebrate real-world print projects that combine creativity with delivered environmental responsibility. Nova shares what changed in year two, why clearer criteria matter, and what the judges are truly looking for, not just visual wow, but intent, execution and impact. We also dig into the new Green Spark Award and why getting students and early career creatives thinking about sustainable design at the concept stage can reshape the whole market over time. The discussion widens to the reality of events and short-lifespan graphics through the Clean Slate rethinking events documentary, built around a simple question: how much waste are we generating, and are we being honest about it? We also tackle common misconceptions about PVC-free banner materials, including performance, durability, cost and suitability, and where adoption is accelerating across regions. If you work in wide format print, signage, display graphics, brand marketing or event production, you'll leave with practical ways to think about sustainable materials, measurable impact and collaboration across the supply chain. Clean Slate | Rethinking EventsKavalan Green Leaders AwardsSubscribe for more Future Print Podcast conversations, share this with a colleague who needs a nudge, and leave us a review with your biggest question about sustainable printing.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson reconnects with Paul Jenkins, Founder of ThePackHub, for a deep dive into the evolving world of packaging innovation.Drawing on insights from ThePackHub's Innovation Zone - which tracks over 11,000 packaging innovations globally - Paul outlines how sustainability has become the dominant force shaping the industry. Today, around 90% of packaging innovation is driven by environmental objectives, with three key trends leading the way: paperisation, recycling and recycled content, and material reduction.The conversation explores how regulation is increasingly dictating innovation, shifting the role of brands from creative experimentation to compliance-led development. While this has narrowed the scope for more speculative innovation, it has also accelerated meaningful progress in sustainable packaging.Paul also shares perspectives on emerging areas such as connected packaging, the evolving role of QR codes, and the growing importance of digital printing for localisation, short-run production, and market testing.The episode highlights the challenges facing new material technologies, including biomaterials and refill systems, which continue to struggle with scalability and cost despite strong interest.Looking ahead, Paul discusses the potential impact of AI, digital product passports, and regulatory shifts, while emphasising the critical role startups play in driving bold, early-stage innovation.A thoughtful and insightful discussion on where packaging innovation is today - and where it's heading next.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint?FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, SpainFuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Julien Bianchi, CEO of Polytype, to explore the remarkable evolution of a company whose roots stretch back more than a century.Originally emerging from Switzerland's precision engineering tradition and the newspaper press industry, Polytype has transformed itself into a global leader in direct-to-shape packaging decoration. Julien explains how the pivotal founding of Polytype in 1962 marked the moment the company shifted its focus toward packaging, applying high-speed printing expertise to aluminium tubes, plastic packaging and other complex three-dimensional surfaces.The conversation explores why Polytype deliberately chose the technically challenging path of direct-to-shape printing, and how that decision has shaped the company's engineering philosophy and competitive advantage over decades.Marcus and Julien also discuss how Polytype balances its long-standing expertise in dry-offset analogue printing with the growing opportunities of digital inkjet. Rather than viewing the technologies as competitors, Polytype sees them as complementary tools within a broader decoration toolbox.The episode also delves into Polytype's digital ecosystem strategy, including the development of its proprietary CALMAR inkjet platform, its open approach to ink supply, and the company's partnerships with research institutions such as the iPrint Institute in Fribourg.Finally, Julien shares insights into Polytype's global footprint, the importance of service and long-term customer relationships, and how the company is preparing for the future through investments in automation, sustainability, and digital manufacturing.A fascinating discussion on innovation, leadership, adaptability, engineering culture, and the evolving future of packaging decoration.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textA violent highway pileup changed how a CEO leads—and what he believes about safety, risk, and time. Marcus sits down with Javier Quesada of Kento Digital Printing to unpack how a near-fatal crash became a turning point for his leadership and why he now treats inaction as the most dangerous strategy of all. The conversation moves from personal recovery and gratitude to hard-nosed choices facing corrugated packaging: do you pause and wait out the cycle, or invest in capabilities that create speed, flexibility, and differentiation when the market tightens?We explore why the corrugated industry's current downturn is a cycle, not a cliff, and how long-term demand is buoyed by the shift from plastic to paper-based packaging. Javier makes a clear case for digital printing and digital converting as practical tools—shorter runs, rapid changeovers, data-driven workflows—that help plants specialise and stand out when competition is toughest. He shares how to de-risk adoption with small pilots, align teams around purpose, and turn fear into movement. Along the way, we touch on timeless wisdom from Baltasar Gracián: time is the only thing we truly own, so spend it building.You'll hear a grounded outlook toward 2026, a fresh take on resilience that avoids empty slogans, and concrete steps leaders can take now: map bottlenecks, integrate MIS with scheduling, tidy prepress, set clear quality gates, and invest in people. If you work in print, packaging, or manufacturing strategy, this story-driven chat will help you weigh caution against momentum and reframe uncertainty as a lever for progress.Subscribe for more candid conversations on print technology, leadership, and the future of packaging, and share this episode with a colleague who needs a nudge toward action. Your review helps more people find the show—what's one move you'll make this week?Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textThousands of parts per minute, each one different. That's the new reality for direct-to-object printing, and it changes how brands think about cost, speed, and flexibility. We sit down with Ken Stack, Executive Chairman of Engineered Printing Solutions, to unpack why single pass inkjet and smart automation have pushed DTO past the tipping point and what it actually takes to run true production on real-world objects.Ken brings three decades across industrial inkjet, M&A, and strategy, and he explains how EPS moved from pad printing heritage to leading high-speed, direct-to-object systems. We dig into the big drivers: shrinking run lengths, soaring labour costs, and the need to print on plastics, powder-coated metals, and glass with reliable adhesion. You'll hear what separates multi pass promotional rigs from single pass production cells, why the printer is often just 20% of the total system cost, and how picking, pre-treatment, inline inspection, and sorting deliver the ROI that CFOs want. From golf balls and helmets to beverage and pharma caps, the examples are concrete, and the numbers are blunt.We also map the global picture. North America is charging ahead on automation and reshoring, supported by accessible capital and the pressure to localise. Asia and Latin America show strong momentum, while Europe remains more cautious despite high-value short-run needs across many languages. Ken is candid about the hard parts: training vision systems to inspect 2,000 caps per minute, handling odd geometries at micron-level accuracy, and choosing heads and inks that balance gap, viscosity, and durability. The future focus is clear—make automation cheaper and easier, expand surface compatibility, and standardise core print platforms with vertical-specific handling.If you care about packaging agility, versioned products, or cutting setup fees and downtime from your lines, this conversation lays out a practical path. Subscribe for more deep dives, share this episode with your ops team, and leave a quick review to tell us which object you want to print next.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode, we are joined by Fredric Petit and Franko Vrhovac from Emerald Technology Ventures and we discover more about investment into new print and packaging technology. Emerald is not a traditional fund. It operates at the intersection of venture capital and open innovation, acting as a matchmaker between startups and more than 50 global corporates seeking new technologies and solutions across industrial innovation. With over 25 years of experience and more than $1bn in assets under management and advisory, Emerald helps corporates identify promising startups - and invests when commercial traction is proven.The conversation unpacks why packaging became a priority for investors six to seven years ago - driven by shifting waste economics, rising consumer pressure, corporate 2030 targets and tightening regulation. It also explains why printing is now emerging as a key lever for change, from sustainable marking and reduced consumables to improved uptime and fewer SKUs.Crucially, the episode clarifies what investors look for: clear differentiation, a focused value proposition, a credible team, and evidence of market pull. Sustainability matters, but it must come with a compelling business case.Finally, Fredric and Franko share how Emerald's “Sprint” programmes connect corporates and startups to accelerate pilots and real-world adoption - turning interest into implementation.A practical listen for founders, innovators, converters, brands, and anyone navigating the future of print, packaging, and industrial sustainability.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textThis episode is 2 of 2 and is an interview with keynote speaker Güneri Tugcu Following the themes of 'When Packaging Talks Back', we ask 'Will Print Listen'?What if the most valuable thing you print isn't colour or coverage, but credibility? We explore how connected packaging turns labels and care tags into living product identities, and why printers who embrace this shift can move from commodity supplier to trusted strategic partner.We dive into the rise of digital product passports in fashion and beyond, where serialized QR codes and NFC bring traceability, compliance, and authentication to the front line. That task sits squarely in print's wheelhouse—if we evolve. We talk through the real blocker (culture, not hardware), and show how hiring for curiosity and consultative skills can complement world‑class engineering. Instead of chasing the same specs as ten competitors, bring brands a clear outcome: compliance readiness, anti‑counterfeit protection, first‑party data, and consumer engagement powered by the codes you print.Compensation models often sink good ideas, so we unpack how capital‑equipment sales incentives clash with recurring software and analytics. The answer isn't a full rebuild. Start small with a blended pilot team—press veterans, product thinkers, and sustainability voices—tasked to run workshops, shape simple offers, and co‑sell with marketing, legal, and procurement in the room. We share practical steps to reposition as a partner: frame connected packaging as the foundation of data, trust, and long‑term brand value; measure learning speed, not just revenue; and invite diverse minds to pressure‑test solutions before they hit the line.By the end, you'll have a roadmap to stand out in tenders on more than price, earn a seat at higher‑level conversations, and future‑proof your business as regulations tighten and buyers demand richer product experiences. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a review telling us the first pilot you'll run.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textThis episode is 1 of 2. 'When Packaging Talks Back' is followed directly after for episode 2 by 'When Packaging Talks Back: Will Print Listen'?Packaging used to be a dead end for brand relationships. Now it's becoming the front door. We sit down with keynote speaker Güneri Tugcu in the first of a 2 part podcast, to unpack how connected packaging turns every product into a digital touchpoint that delivers utility, trust and measurable outcomes long after checkout. From post‑COVID shifts in shopper behaviour to the rise of QR‑powered journeys, we get practical on what scales, what fails and how to build value that keeps customers scanning.We dig into the standards making this real: GS1 Digital Link and Project Sunrise 2027, which aim to replace the traditional barcode with a single “master code” that serves retailers and consumers alike. That change unlocks Digital Product Passports, granular traceability, anti‑counterfeit checks that feel like service rather than suspicion, and dynamic content shaped by context. Gunnary shares hard‑won lessons from SGK, Digimarc and Amazon, showing how convenience, not copy, sets expectations—and why serialisation and identity are now the backbone of loyalty, warranty, resale and recycling.The conversation also tackles ownership and design. Retailers still control the aisle, but brands can earn parallel, permission‑based relationships by respecting privacy, offering clear benefits and making tasks effortless—think instant warranty registration instead of hunting for old receipts. In textiles and fashion, looming regulations will force item‑level IDs across the board, pushing converters, brands, platforms and retailers to orchestrate together. The dividing line ahead is clear: campaign thinking that spikes and fades versus infrastructure thinking that compounds insight and lifetime value.Ready to turn print into a persistent, digital channel? Listen now, share with a colleague who needs to hear it, and subscribe for future conversations. If this helped you rethink packaging, leave a quick review—it helps more people discover the show.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textWhat if a single set of shared principles could align printers, brands, material suppliers, and recyclers on a faster path to low‑carbon, circular print? We sit with HP's Carlos Lahoz to map a practical route from belief to measurable change, grounded in a nine‑principle Sustainable Print Manifesto that is already reshaping how companies brief suppliers, plan R&D, and report progress.Carlos explains why the industry needed a common language instead of another compliance badge, and how principles create clarity without constraining innovation across publishing, large format, labels, and packaging. We break down what “sustainable print” actually means to different stakeholders—consumers seeking recyclability, brands asking for compostability, suppliers focused on certified fibre—and why carbon footprint and circularity must sit at the core. Then we move into phase two, where smaller working groups turn the manifesto into playbooks: decision guides for material choices, data fields for job‑level carbon accounting, and workflow tweaks that slash waste while protecting throughput and quality.You'll hear how collaboration between nominal competitors can lower costs for better materials, standardise measurement, and bring carbon transparency into prepress and MIS. We talk about scaling pledges to build momentum, the value of using the principles in RFPs and customer conversations, and early adopters who already frame corporate reporting around the manifesto. The aim is simple and bold: decarbonise print and improve circularity without sacrificing margins, using shared tools, shared data, and shared ambition.Ready to help set the standard for sustainable print? Read the principles at Manifesto for Sustainable Print, sign the pledge, share it with your network, and if you have deep expertise—from fibre science to recycling logistics—join a working group to shape the next wave of practical guidance. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us which principle you want to action first.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson is joined by Nova Abbott, Claire Goodchild, and Sarah Goodchild – the creators of the documentary Clean Slate: Rethinking Events.Drawing on decades of experience across global exhibitions, brand events, and live experiences, the trio explore a hard truth about the events industry: while events are temporary by design, their environmental impact is anything but.The conversation unpacks how time pressure, habit, and “last-minute thinking” drive unnecessary waste - particularly in areas like graphics, signage, carpets, and event builds. The film features some eye-opening research tracking what actually happens to event waste after breakdown, revealing that even “recyclable” materials often end up incinerated or in landfill. Together they reflect on the professional and personal tension of learning about the environmental impact of events, while continuing to working inside a fast-moving, dynamic and creative industry.Crucially, this is not a preachy sustainability discussion. The film, and this conversation, focuses on systems, not blame. The creators explain why real change starts at the very beginning of the event planning process, and why sustainability only becomes expensive when it is treated as an afterthought.From the importance of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to building confidence to challenge “business as usual”, this episode is a thoughtful, practical call to rethink how events are designed, delivered, and dismantled.A must-listen for anyone involved in events, exhibitions, marketing, or live experiences – and anyone who attends them.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this FuturePrint Podcast episode of 2026, Marcus Timson is joined by Dr Simon Daplyn, Product and Marketing Manager at Sun Chemical, to take stock of where industrial inkjet is heading - and why the next phase is less about “print” and more about manufacturing outcomes.Simon reflects on 2025 as a year where momentum began to translate into implementation, particularly in packaging, with renewed interest in hybrid approaches that combine digital inkjet with analogue techniques (especially flexo) to hit the metrics that matter: speed, reliability, and commercial viability. But the bigger story, he argues, is inkjet's expanding footprint beyond familiar territory - from direct-to-shape and metal decoration to functional deposition in emerging industrial markets.The conversation rewinds to the early InPrint years, when integrators and component specialists helped manufacturers explore what might be possible. Fast forward a decade and the shift is clear: the ecosystem - printheads, software, robotics, ink delivery, and materials science - has matured into tangible, production-ready solutions.Simon also challenges a persistent mistake: trying to replicate analogue workflows with digital. Inkjet's advantage is not simply cost-per-litre or a like-for-like replacement of gravure, flexo or screen. It is agility, reduced waste, inventory efficiency, faster time-to-market, and the ability to deposit expensive functional materials only where they are needed.With FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich as the backdrop, Simon outlines why 2026 could be a breakout year for direct-to-shape, metal, flexible packaging, and new industrial applications - powered by collaboration across a growing ecosystem of specialists.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Franziska Valerie Hagenauer, founder of FVH Lab, a nature-inspired design specialist working at the intersection of biomimicry, AI, computational design and digital fabrication. Franziska will be speaking at the forthcoming FuturePrint AI for Industrial Print Conference, Jan 22, which is a part of FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich 21-22 January. Franziska explains how she helps sustainable technology innovators translate complex technical advantages into intuitive, emotionally resonant physical demonstrators. Rather than relying on data sheets and specifications alone, her work uses forms inspired by nature to communicate performance, efficiency and sustainability in a way that is instantly understood.The conversation explores the role of biomimicry as both a design and storytelling tool. Natural structures are universally recognisable, emotionally engaging and effective at differentiating technologies on crowded trade show floors. Franziska outlines her process, starting with a discovery workshop to identify key technical strengths, followed by research into biological analogues that visually express those attributes.AI plays a critical role in this workflow, particularly in the early concept phase. Franziska describes how AI tools accelerate research, support idea generation and help visualise concepts through high-quality renderings that combine sketches with natural patterns. Computational design and parametric modelling then allow these concepts to be translated into producible 3D forms.Importantly, Franziska challenges the idea that AI simply needs more data. Instead, she emphasises the importance of high-quality, reliable input and human creativity. Looking ahead, she shares her perspective on how AI, when combined with nature-inspired thinking, could help industry address sustainability challenges rather than simply optimise efficiency.This episode offers a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective on how AI and biomimicry can reshape industrial design, manufacturing communication and sustainable innovation.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Oliver Beck of Thieme, one of Germany's most established family-owned manufacturers of high-end industrial screen and digital printing systems. Based in the Black Forest region, Thieme has long been recognised for its deep engineering expertise and close collaboration with industrial customers.Oliver explains why Thieme has re-engaged strongly with digital printing – not as a general-purpose solution, but as a highly targeted tool for demanding industrial applications. He outlines the company's three core digital pillars: a specialist digital coin-printing system with automatic alignment for high-value collector coins; modular digital print engines designed to be integrated directly into existing production lines; and fully bespoke digital printers built for 24/7 industrial operation with up to 95% machine availability.The discussion highlights Thieme's process-led approach. Rather than starting with a predefined machine, projects begin with customer requirements – from ink chemistry and printhead selection to single-pass or multi-pass architecture – often progressing through prototype development before full-scale production. Real-world examples include inline digital printing on saw guide bars and saw blades, operating at industrial speeds and volumes, as well as applications ranging from metal components to glass and functional coatings.Oliver also explains why Thieme chose to support the new FuturePrint Industrial Print event in Munich, drawing parallels with the original InPrint show and praising the focused, single-hall format and strong technical conference programme.This episode offers a clear, grounded view of where industrial digital print delivers real value today – not as a replacement for analogue, but as a precisely engineered solution for advanced manufacturing challenges.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson catches up with Joanna Stephenson, Managing Director of Think B2B Marketing, to explore how packaging, consumers and print are changing – fast.With nearly 30 years' experience across Dow Chemical, Sun Chemical, LINPAC and now her own specialist agency, Joanna shares a rare, 360-degree view of the packaging value chain – from R&D and compliance to brand strategy and marketing execution.Joanna explains why:Marketing must be treated as a growth engine, not a cost lineSustainability has moved far beyond “trend” status and is now a licence to operateNew regulations (EPR, PPWR, Scope 3) will radically change what brands demand from their suppliersGenerational shifts – from Gen X to Millennials and Gen Alpha – are reshaping how and what people buyConnected packaging and GS1's move to QR codes create huge opportunities for printers as enablers of digital experiencesAI and continuous learning will separate strategic partners from commodity providersIf you're a printer, converter, supplier or brand-side packaging leader trying to make sense of sustainability, regulation, connected packaging and AI – and what they really mean for your business – this conversation with Jo is packed with insight, challenge and practical direction.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this FuturePrint Podcast episode, we speak with Rainer Stricker (WeldTone) and Mikael Boedler (Inkatronic) about a fast-emerging application for industrial inkjet: UV insulation coatings for EV battery and electronics components.Rainer explains Weldtone's background in functional adhesives and insulation coatings, and why the next generation of EV architectures (including cell-to-pack and cell-to-chassis) is increasing the performance requirements placed on insulation layers - especially as insulation must coexist with high-strength structural bonding processes.Mikael shares how Inkatronic's application centre model - combining in-house engineering, CNC capability, automation and PLC programming - enables rapid iteration and upscaling trials. Together, Weldtone and Inkatronic are developing inkjet-based insulation processes that deliver selective deposition, tight thickness control, and fast UV curing.The discussion compares inkjet with traditional insulation approaches such as PET film wrapping, powder coating, and spray coating. Inkjet's key advantage is its digital selectivity: coating only where needed, reducing waste and post-processing, and enabling reliable insulation on more complex 3D-shaped parts (connectors, housings, cooling elements), not just flat surfaces or simple geometries.Both guests also address adoption dynamics: mass production is already underway in China for certain applications, while Europe is in a rapid evaluation phase - with the main bottleneck being access to validated demonstration equipment for sample generation, qualification, and process-window development.Rainer and Mikael will present and demonstrate the process at FuturePrint Industrial Print, Motorworld Munich, 21-22 January, including live printing and curing on representative 3D customer parts.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Alexander Hinterkopf, Managing Director of Hinterkopf, one of the world's leading suppliers of printing and forming technologies for cylindrical packaging.Founded in 1962 and based near Stuttgart, Hinterkopf has built its reputation at the intersection of printing and container manufacturing - supplying systems for aluminium tubes, plastic squeeze tubes, and monoblock aerosol containers used across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and consumer goods.In the conversation, Hinterkopf explains how a period of disruption following the 2008 financial crisis became the catalyst for the company's move into digital inkjet. What began as an attempt to replace analogue offset printing evolved into something more powerful: digital post-decoration - printing finished containers on demand, at the very end of the manufacturing process.We explore why printing on the round is technically challenging, how Hinterkopf solved registration and precision issues, and why variable data and late-stage customisation are inherent strengths of digital inkjet in cylindrical packaging.The discussion also looks at who is driving adoption. Rather than large incumbents, early growth has come from entrepreneurial service providers and startups, particularly in the US, offering brands speed, flexibility, and short-run capability that traditional workflows cannot match.Sustainability is another key theme - not as marketing rhetoric, but as manufacturing efficiency. Reduced waste, elimination of labels, and support for monomaterial packaging all position digital post-decoration as a practical response to regulatory and environmental pressures.Finally, Hinterkopf shares his view on where the market is heading, and why digital inkjet is becoming a permanent, complementary force in industrial packaging.Alexander Hinterkopf will be speaking at FuturePrint Industrial Print, 21-22 January in Munich.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we explore an exciting new collaboration reshaping the future of industrial inkjet. Fabio Tallarico of Seiko Instruments GmbH and Jan Janhsen of Fraunhofer IPA join us to discuss how their organisations are working together to advance functional printing, high-viscosity jetting, and inkjet-based manufacturing.Following the closure of Seiko's in-house lab, the company sought a new approach to R&D — one that could provide scientific depth, hands-on experimentation, and access to advanced facilities. Fraunhofer IPA, one of Europe's leading applied research institutes, became the ideal partner.Together, the teams now collaborate on:waveform development and drop analysisprint testing across varied substrates and ink typesevaluating high-viscosity, conductive, UV, and water-based inksexploring jetting limits and application-specific performanceinvestigating new functional applications including adhesives, coatings, and 3D structuresFor Fraunhofer, the partnership ensures its research remains grounded in real industrial challenges. For Seiko, it broadens access to cutting-edge measurement tools, material expertise, and scientific knowledge — accelerating development of the next-generation RC2560 printhead.The conversation also highlights wider trends shaping industrial inkjet: the shift toward sustainable materials, increasing demand for functional layers, advances in additive manufacturing, and the future potential of AI in waveform optimisation and process control.This collaboration demonstrates how innovation grows faster when companies work together — sharing knowledge, testing boundaries, and combining scientific insight with practical engineering.A must-listen for anyone interested in industrial inkjet, functional printing, advanced manufacturing, or collaborative R&D.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events: FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Leaders Summit, 29 September '26, Valencia, Spain FuturePrint Industrial Print, 14-15 April '27, Munich, Germany
Send us a textIn this episode, Marcus Timson is joined by Nathan Safran, Vice President of Research at PRINTING United Alliance, for an in-depth exploration of the biggest forces reshaping the global print industry.Safran shares findings from the Alliance's latest research—covering AI adoption, automation, convergence, economic signals, and where PSPs are creating new value.Key Themes Discussed:AI moves mainstream: 85% of PSPs now view AI as critical to competitiveness, with 83% saying it opens new business opportunities—not just productivity gains.Real-world AI applications: From generative design and marketing personalisation to advanced forecasting, quality inspection, and in-house software development, PSPs are adopting AI at a pace not seen before.The importance of data: AI success depends on clean, structured, reliable data. PSPs must put their “data house in order” to unlock higher-value use cases.Automation + AI: A powerful combination that is reshaping prepress, production, onboarding, and back-office functions across sales, finance, and operations.Convergence as a structural trend: Commercial into wide format, wide format into labels or packaging, and a broader shift toward multi-segment capability as buyers choose vendors who can do more.Growth opportunities for 2026: Strategic diversification, AI-led transformation, and offering adjacent digital services such as design, data management, and campaign execution.Safran emphasises that print companies are increasingly transforming into technology-enabled service providers, and that PSPs who embrace both data and AI will have significant competitive advantage.A fascinating, forward-looking conversation packed with insight for anyone in print, manufacturing, or related markets.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany
Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, host Frazer Chesterman speaks with Victor Perraudin, Research and Development Engineer at Ardeje Printing, a specialist developer of industrial drop-on-demand inkjet systems.Founded in 1997, Ardeje Printing has grown alongside the digital printing revolution, focusing not on graphics but on bespoke industrial inkjet solutions where print performs a functional role. Perraudin explains how Ardeje works at the intersection of materials science, fluid dynamics and system integration, supporting customers with applications that go far beyond flat substrates and conventional inks.The conversation explores Ardeje's Origin D100 R&D platform, designed to bridge the gap between laboratory experimentation and production deployment. Using this system, Ardeje supports applications ranging from silver inks for printed electronics, antennas and conductive tracks, to carbon nanotube sensors, quantum dot deposition and sol-gel printing.Perraudin discusses growing interest from sectors such as photovoltaics, batteries, EV technologies, medical devices and construction, where inkjet is increasingly seen as a precise, low-waste method for functional material deposition. He also highlights the challenges shaping the next phase of industrial inkjet, including printing on complex 3D geometries, REACH-driven reformulation of UV inks, and demand for high-viscosity, non-conventional fluids.Looking ahead, Perraudin outlines a future where drop-on-demand inkjet evolves from decoration to integrated functional manufacturing, supported by smarter data-driven processes and deeper collaboration across the inkjet ecosystem.Ardeje will be presenting at FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich, where functional inkjet applications will be firmly in the spotlight.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany
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