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A 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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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A 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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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Perhaps 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 optionThis 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 Festival
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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Digital 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.uk
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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A 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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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, materials, and application needs will be best positioned to move forward.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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. Aligning print systems, consumables, and application requirements — and continuously refining that relationship — is key to unlocking the full potential of the technology.
A practical and insightful discussion for anyone looking to understand where inkjet fits within the future of packaging printing.
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What 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.
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FuturePrint Packaging, Labels & DTS Summit, 29-30 September '26, Valencia, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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Single-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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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You 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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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In 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.
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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If 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 Events
Kavalan Green Leaders Awards
Subscribe 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:
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What 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, Spain
FuturePrint Industrial Print Show, 11-12 May '27, Munich, Germany
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