As production demands grow, doing more with the same team has become essential. During a FESPA Insights webinar, experts discussed how automation is being used to improve efficiency, reduce manual touch points, and deliver more consistent results, all without increasing headcount.

Hosted by FESPA content and conference producer Jack Collins, guests included Piet De Pauw, Head of Marketing at Enfocus, and Mark Boyt, Principal Analyst Workflow Automation, Keypoint Intelligence.

Automation is important because the gap is still wide. Among print service provider (PSP) respondents, the installed base is still mixed. That leaves substantial room for workflow, prepress and finishing automation to drive the next wave of productivity. Keypoint Intelligence statistics:

– 47.2% have not yet implemented automation in print operations.
– 36.6% are considering workflow automation for job tracking and scheduling.
– 32.5% are considering automating prepress operations.
– 29.4% are considering automated finishing and cutting equipment.

De Pauw said there is a misconception that wide format cannot be automated, while Boyt said there is a lot of fear of the unknown, without knowing where to start.

‘An automated system is something that is more difficult to prove itself, unlike a printing machine in a shop,’ added De Pauw.

He spoke about the well known ‘Mini-Me’ campaign which is often demonstrated at trade shows to highlight the importance of automation. Through an automated software and hardware system, visitors can submit photos of themselves, after which the background gets removed using software, followed by printing the photo onto cardboard, which is then cut to shape. This is all done in less than a minute, which is far shorter than to do it manually. The process not only ties together speed, steadiness and accuracy, it reduces manual error and demonstrates how a business can operate at optimum speed and full efficiency.

‘Human resources are getting scarcer and businesses need to find ways in which to better use the resources they have, and find other ways of filling in the gaps. That’s again where automation comes in,’ said Boyt. ‘There is value in humans, so put them into those places where that value can truly be realised, and let technology manage other areas that are more repetitive, or that adds value by removing the error.’

The Pressure Points Are Clear: Skills, Integration And Productivity

Main barriers for PSPs:

– 44.6% cite high investment costs.
– 37.8% cite lack of staff training.
– 37.2% cite integration complexity.

These are practical barriers, not a lack of belief in automation. They make implementation support and real examples more important and they also explain why labour and workflow conversations now sit together.

Reported productivity impact:

– 37.0% increased efficiency and reduced production time.
– 26.6% reduced manual labour needs and costs.
– 24.7% improved consistency and quality control.

De Pauw urged PSPs to first ‘get the hang’ of automation before expanding.

Boyt added that there will still be humans in various parts of the process, but human roles will shift, ‘It’s going to be a joint operation. It’s really about taking away that repetitive, dull stuff, he said. ‘There is still human skill that adds value into the process. It’s the human error that we want to remove out of it.’

‘Trade shows like FESPA are a perfect way for potential users to educate themselves,’ said De Pauw. ‘Go to the really boring booths, without the machinery,’ he added.

Boyt concluded that planning in advance and not waiting too long to implement an automation system will keep you ahead of your competition.

FESPA
https://europe.fespa.com

Have your say by taking part in the FESPA Print Census survey. This new edition explores three important topics shaping businesses today.

• E-commerce and Web-to-Print.
• Workforce and Skills Gaps.
• Growth Applications, Pricing Pressures & Profitability.

As a thank you, you will receive a FREE copy of the Executive Summary, packed with exclusive benchmarked industry data.

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute your perspective and access valuable data shaping the future of print.

Take the survey.

Become a member today and enjoy exclusive benefits.

FESPA
https://www.fespa.com/

FESPA has launched a new Anti-Greenwashing Sustainability Guide, designed to help businesses across the print and visual communications industries navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape. It advises on how businesses can ensure their sustainability messaging is accurate, credible and evidence-based, and ultimately avoid ‘greenwashing’.

Key Findings

– Most environmental claims are vague, unproven, or misleading, with 53% of claims vague or unfounded and 40% lacking evidence.
– Greenwashing can occur even when a claim is technically true.
– EU and UK sustainability regulations are tightening significantly.
– The printing industry faces particular risks around terms like ‘biodegradable’, ‘compostable’, and ‘eco-friendly’.
– ‘Lifecycle thinking’ is essential to avoid misleading claims, because improvements in one stage may hide negative impacts elsewhere.

The informative guide, titled ‘Understanding and Avoiding Greenwash’, is part of FESPA’s Sustainability Spotlight initiative and it provides practical guidance for companies striving to communicate their improved, greener business operations responsibly while avoiding the reputational and legal risks associated with misleading claims.

Compliance Amid Confusion

As sustainability becomes a major purchasing criterion for brands and consumers alike, the pressure on businesses to demonstrate environmental responsibility has increased significantly over the last decade. At the same time, governments and regulators across the UK and EU are tightening legislation to prevent misleading or unsubstantiated environmental claims. The guide responds to this changing landscape by helping businesses understand what constitutes greenwashing and how to ensure their claims meet regulatory expectations.

Research cited in the guide highlights the scale of the challenge. More than 53% of environmental claims are vague, misleading or unfounded, while 40% lack supporting evidence. In addition, the EU alone currently has more than 230 sustainability labels and 100 green energy labels, many with varying levels of transparency and verification.

These inconsistencies can create confusion for both businesses and consumers, and the need for guidance is clear.

Making Statements

The guide highlights that claims which are technically true may still be considered misleading if they omit relevant information, exaggerate benefits or fail to reflect the full lifecycle impact of a product. As such, generic statements such as ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’, without substantiation, are increasingly falling under regulatory scrutiny.

To help businesses avoid these pitfalls, the guide outlines the key principles underpinning environmental claims legislation in the UK and the EU.

These frameworks require that claims are: clear, specific, evidence-based and verifiable. Claims also need to consider the entire lifecycle of a product, where relevant.

Spotlighting Supply Chains

A key focus of the guide is the growing importance of supply chain transparency. Even businesses that operate primarily in business-to-business markets may be required to provide evidence that supports sustainability claims made by their customers. As a result, organisations must maintain robust documentation and ensure that information from suppliers can support any environmental claims made about products or services.

The guide also highlights upcoming regulatory developments, including the EU’s Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, which will introduce stricter requirements on environmental claims when fully implemented by 2026. These changes are expected to place greater emphasis on substantiated claims, certification schemes and transparency around carbon-related claims and offsets.

The Bigger Picture

In addition to regulatory compliance, the guide encourages businesses to adopt a ‘lifecycle and systems-thinking’ approach to sustainability. By examining the full environmental impact of products, from raw materials and manufacturing to distribution, use and end-of-life, organisations can communicate accurately and effectively. This approach not only helps them to avoid greenwashing, it supports transparency across the supply chain too.

The guide features practical advice for companies to demonstrate their environmental consciousness without greenwashing. For example: they can use recognised certifications and improve their internal processes to support and validate their claims. The guide encourages collaboration across supply chains and emphasises the importance of listening to customer concerns while communicating sustainability initiatives clearly and responsibly.

Ultimately, FESPA’s Understanding and Avoiding Greenwash guide highlights that credible sustainability is no longer defined by ambition alone; it’s achieved with clarity, evidence and transparency across the entire value chain. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, businesses that move beyond generic claims to robust, lifecycle-based communications will be best-placed to protect their reputation and support their customers.

By equipping the print and visual communications industry with practical, actionable guidance, FESPA is helping them to confidently move from broad sustainability statements to precise, verifiable claims that align with regulatory requirements, as well as stakeholder and customers’ trust.

FESPA
https://www.fespa.com/

While attending the co-located FESPA 2026 events, (FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest, Corrugated and Textile) visitors can also experience the FESPA Conference and The Corrugated Conference and WrapTalks, as well as the World Wrap Masters Europe and Finals.

FESPA is taking place at the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, from 19–22 May 2026

The FESPA Conference

The new FESPA Conference (located in Hall 3, Stand B45), will allow visitors to develop a greater understanding of trends and opportunities across speciality print, signage, textile and personalisation. Those in attendance will learn about how they can capitalise on market trends and convert them into business growth.

Confirmed sessions to date include:

‘Theory and Practice: Sustainability in Print’ with Klaus Reisinger, CEO, ClimatePartner.

‘Added Value Apparel: Surface Effects and Embellishment for Garment Decoration’ with Debbie McKeegan, FESPA Textile Ambassador and CEO of Textintel.

‘Print. The Original Influencer’ with Justin Cairns, Head of Offline Production, Ogilvy.

‘In Store Personalisation: Retail Case Studies to Convert Footfall into Revenue’ with Bart Olde Wolbers CEO, Artisjet.

‘La comunicacion visual en el arte y la’ with Natalia Dolz, Design and Prepress Manager, Lachrome.

The Corrugated Conference

The first edition of Corrugated will provide a platform for visitors to explore the latest trends, challenges and developments across the corrugated industry, supported by a free-to-attend ‘Corrugated Conference’ programme.

The conference will include talks from experts on their experiences in corrugated production and how converters can adapt their business to keep up with evolving market trends. Speakers will explore the power of digitisation and automation, packaging regulations and more.

Confirmed sessions to date include:

‘The Cyber Landscape of the Packaging Industry: Where we are and where we’re heading beyond 2026’ with Stefan Liversidge, OT Security Production Owner, OPSWAT.

‘AI is the Solution to Assist in the Automation and Digitalisation of the Corrugated Industry’ with Thomas Orthax, CEO, Packitoo.

‘The Future of Corrugated Packaging: Revealing a Clear Pathway for Today’s Dynamic Industry’ with Ian Bates, Regenerative Packaging Pioneer, NOA Ltd.

‘Ukraine: How industry rebuilds after the conflict’ with Yura Bachurin, Operational Director, Paper Kite and Editorial Board Lead.

WrapTalks Programme

Visitors to WrapFest 2026 can also attend the WrapTalks conference programme (Hall 2, A78), where they will have the opportunity to hear real-life success stories and develop their understanding of the entire wrap industry, from vehicles to interior décor.

Confirmed sessions to date include:

‘Inside the Wrap: Creative Projects that Pushed Boundaries’ with Chris Edwards, Director, CVI Group, Shaun Winfield, Director, Dash Wraps and Tim Evans, Founder, Wrapper Mapper.

‘Pixels to Panels: The Wrap Production Pipeline’ with Martin Turecek, CEO, Wrapstock and WrapStyle, and Chris Edwards, Director, CVI Group.

‘Women in Wrap: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures’ with Paige Walton, CEO and Founder, The Vehicle Wrapping Academy, Jen Carney, Founder of Women Of Wrap, Megan Cadogan, Megan Cadogan, Director, Miss Wrapz

‘Beyond Vehicles: The rise of Architectural Film’ with Greg Forster, Managing Director of Embrace Building Wraps, and Christophe Aussenac, Co-Founder, ATC Group.

Feature Highlight: World Wrap Masters

This year, WrapFest will host two live World Wrap Masters Competitions: World Wrap Masters Europe on 19-20 May, followed by the World Wrap Masters Final on 21-22 May. During the World Wrap Masters Europe Competition on days one and two of WrapFest, regional competitors will compete against one another in a series of timed rounds, wrapping a variety of special objects and vehicles. On the final two days of the event, regional champions will battle it out to be crowned the World Wrap Masters 2026 champion in the finals of the global series.

Alongside the competition rounds, visitors will be able to access a series of daily demos, delivered by global wrap experts, sharing their top tips and tricks for efficient and accurate installs. Visitors can also explore an array of wrap-focused technologies and solutions, including self-adhesive wrap films, software and design, tools and accessories, wrap, vinyl, PPF, window tint, architectural interior and detailing from leading brands and suppliers, as well as Printed Media Partner, Arlon, Colour Change PPF Partner, Carlas and PPF Partner, Terminax.

Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo, commented, ‘Each year, we strive to offer our visitors something new, and our three conference programmes will do just that. We’re confident that the programmes will facilitate knowledge sharing among our visitors, while giving them a platform to learn, network and maximise their business growth.’

He added, ‘In addition, the expansion of our flagship event portfolio overall, to include WrapFest, Corrugated and Textile under the FESPA 2026 umbrella, supports the growth of our global community by bringing together experts from speciality print and its related sectors.’

Those in Africa who can’t attend the event can register for the FESPA Africa expo, taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng.

FESPA
https://europe.fespa.com/

Taking place from 19–22 May 2026 at the Fira de Barcelona, Spain, Textile will shine a spotlight on the technologies, processes and applications shaping the future of printed textiles, across promotional products and merchandise, print-on-demand, and garment decoration for items such as T-shirts, caps and bags, as well as sportswear production and interior décor.

FESPA has confirmed a strong exhibitor line-up for its inaugural Textile show. The dedicated new event will run as part of FESPA 2026, alongside co-located events: Global Print Expo, Personalisation Experience, European Sign Expo, WrapFest and the brand-new Corrugated.

In the Textile exhibition space, visitors will be able to explore digital textile printing and garment decoration technologies for screen, direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTF), transfer printing, dye sublimation and roll-to-roll textile printing. Confirmed exhibitors include leading manufacturers of print-on-demand production (POD) and high-volume textile printing and garment decoration, such as: B-Flex Italia, Brother Internationale, Chemica, Coldenhove, EPSON, Forever Digital Transfer, Hotronix, Klieverik, Kornit Digital, Melco International, Mimaki, Monti Antonio S.p.A, M&R Printing Equipment, Inc, Polyprint, ROQ International, STAHLS’, Tajima Europe and ZSK.

The exhibitor line-up also includes screen printing solutions like: Anatol, CST GmbH, Easiway, Exile Technologies and Saati Iberica.

Suppliers will also exhibit textile inks and materials that support colour performance, durability and more sustainable business operations. Exhibitors of these solutions include: Afford Inks, Colvas-Turan Kimya, Kingmo Colors, MICC Coatings, Splashjet Inkjet Ink and Sun Chemical.

In addition, solutions for workflow efficiency, colour management and production will be showcased by brands such as: Crea8iveSkill, DRAWstitch International, Embodee.com, Fiery and Fulfill Engine.

Callum Legg, Group Sales and Project Manager, FESPA, commented: ‘Textile printing and garment decoration is one of the most dynamic growth areas across the speciality print sector. In light of this, we’ve developed our new event, comprising a strong line-up of exhibitors and a dedicated conference programme, to provide our community with access to textile-related technologies, expertise and applications that can benefit their businesses. We look forward to seeing and supporting members of our community in Barcelona!’

Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Texintel and FESPA’s Textile Ambassador, added: ‘FESPA Textile is providing a vital platform for the conversations that actually matter. We must confront the immediate challenges facing textile printers, whilst examining exactly how technology is being applied in the here and now. More importantly, we need to understand how these innovations, and the trends driving them, will fundamentally reshape the manufacturing landscape for printed fashion, sportswear, furnishings, and interiors in the years to come. Together we will define our industry’s future.’

While at the show, visitors to Textile can also attend ‘The Conference’ for free, which will cover intelligent production and customisation.

With their ticket to Textile, visitors will have access to all co-located events, taking place as part of FESPA 2026, as well as the two other conference programmes centred around corrugated and wrapping.

Those in Africa who can’t attend the event can register for the FESPA Africa expo, taking place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 September 2026, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng.

FESPA
https://europe.fespa.com/textile

FESPA, Durst Group, Midcomp and Practical Publishing attended the launch of a school support initiative at Malekapane Primary School in Limpopo on Monday, 19 January 2026. Representatives of Durst and Midcomp had the opportunity to see how their support for the FESPA Foundation’s ‘Adopt a School’ and ‘Print For Good’ initiatives have benefitted the school.

Christoph Gamper, CEO at Durst Group, Christian Harder, Chief Sales Officer at Durst Group, and Rob Makinson, CEO at Midcomp, joined Neil Felton, CEO at FESPA and Steve Thobela ka Mdlalose, FESPA Foundation’s Africa Coordinator, at Malekapane Primary School to break ground on building projects, planting trees and evaluating what learning materials are needed in the classrooms.

Practical Publishing participated in the day and also assists the foundation with printed matter, donated shirts and does all the artwork needed for print for this school. ‘Practical Publishing is proud to be associated with the FESPA Foundation as one of the founding partners and sponsors of their activities,’ said Dyelan Copeland, Director at Practical Publishing. ‘We get involved with all their projects in South Africa both with sponsoring items that are needed and with design and compilation of printed education collateral used at the schools. As a media partner we have been on the ground visiting a few schools to assist with whats needed where possible. Well done to Durst in adopting Malakapane School and to the FESPA Foundation especially Neil Felton and Steve Thobela and teams for their courageous work.’

The FESPA Foundation’s Adopt a School programme connects corporate print partners with schools in need. While the Foundation’s ‘Print for Good’ initiative provides printed educational materials, Adopt a School goes one step further by building partnerships to tackle urgent needs like safe classrooms, reliable infrastructure, working libraries and food security.

Durst and Midcomp representatives got the chance to see the work already completed on the school, such as the new ceilings that have been fitted in the classrooms. While on a tour of the school, they also got to scope out which printed educational materials could be produced to decorate the classrooms and arm students for greater learning. The representatives also met with the heads of the school to discuss other potential projects that will increase the quality of life for the students.

Malekapane Primary School hosted a special assembly for the event, bringing together community leadership, members of the local municipality, parents, teachers and students to show their gratitude towards the FESPA Foundation and its school sponsors.

Durst was the first to join the FESPA Foundations ‘Adopt A School’ initiative by sponsoring Malekapane Primary School. Through the help of their sole distributor for Durst Group AG printing technology in South Africa, Midcomp, Durst seeks to support the school even further.

FESPA FOUNDATION
www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/

DURST GROUP
www.durst-group.com

MIDCOMP
midcomp.co.za

The FESPA Foundation galvanises exhibiting companies at its exhibitions to produce printed educational resources for schools across South Africa and other underserved communities. FESPA CEO, Neil Felton, has been awarded with the 2025 Girls Who Print Ally Award for his leadership of the FESPA Foundation, an initiative that was launched last year to demonstrate ‘Print For Good’.

The Girls Who Print Ally Award recognises Felton for leveraging the power of print to create a positive impact and safer learning environments in underserved communities – all while inspiring the global print community.

Led by Deborah Corn, Girls Who Print (GWP) is a non-profit organisation that supports the advancement of female careers in the print and graphic communications industries.

FESPA partnered with Girls Who Print – to highlight its support of the organisation and diversity across print – at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, in May, at the Messe Berlin, Germany. During the event, GWP led a series of speaker sessions at the SmartHub conference, as well as a lunch.

Neil Felton, CEO, FESPA said, ‘I’m truly honoured to receive the 2025 Girls Who Print Ally Award. We (the FESPA team) were delighted to initiate a partnership with Corn, and to us, this is just the beginning. Girls Who Print is a truly inspirational organisation and we look forward to seeing what is in store for our relationship in the future. This is more than just an award, it’s global recognition for the FESPA Foundation and I am proud to be accepting this on behalf of everyone who has supported us on our journey. Thank you.’

Deborah Corn, Executive Director of Girls Who Print, commented, ‘Our mission to support women in print throughout their careers will continue in 2026. The ARC and Print University strengthen this mission by expanding our access to experts, education, skill building, mentorship, and professional development. Membership and sponsorship contributions are essential to powering our mission, expanding our offerings, and strengthening our global community. We deeply appreciate the companies that support our work and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming year.’

FESPA FOUNDATION
https://www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/

Comprising an exhibition and dedicated conference programme, Textile – an event dedicated to printed textiles, apparel and decor – is designed for visitors who work with printed textiles including garments, sportswear and interior décor. The event will serve as a concentrated platform for producers of these applications to explore industry trends, see the latest innovations, and exchange knowledge and expertise.

The first edition will take place alongside FESPA Global Print Expo, its co-located shows Personalisation Experience, European Sign Expo, as well as the newly introduced Corrugated event, at Fira Barcelona from 19-22 May 2026.

The exhibition space will showcase various textile-related technologies and consumables, including: roll-to-roll machinery; direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-fabric (DTF) machinery; design and workflow software; embroidery and sewing equipment; finishing equipment; material and apparels; inks and coatings; and more.

In the free-to-attend conference sessions, delegates will hear from experts on topics such as enhancing productivity and efficiency, reducing operational impact, and waste reduction.

The event will also offer visitors networking opportunities with brands and designers who are looking for more agile, environmentally responsible textile production supply chains.

Textile is accessible to visitors to all four other co-located FESPA 2026 events with a single ticket.

Duncan MacOwan, Head of Marketing and Events, said, ‘With the launch of Textile, we’re creating a focused environment that directly addresses the challenges faced by textile printers, garment brands, sportswear producers and interior designers, while giving printers the textile-focused insight they need to invest and expand.’

‘With the emphasis on innovation and knowledge-sharing, Textile will help visitors to make smarter production decisions, improve speed-to-market and profitability, embrace sustainable, on-demand manufacturing, and convert creative ideas into functional, profitable outcomes.’

Callum Legg, Group Sales and Project Manager, FESPA, added, ‘Textile will be a directional meeting point for experts to congregate, discover new opportunities, explore responsible textile production and understand the multiple factors influencing the future of textile printing. We’re placing suppliers in a strong position to establish and build on relationships with textile business decision-makers, and support those visitors to make investment decisions with confidence.’

FESPA
https://europe.fespa.com/textile

Visitors and exhibitors at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo can stay ahead of market trends by completing FESPA’s Global Specialty Print Market Survey, a research initiative designed to gather and share essential market intelligence for the print community. The event takes place from 9-11 September (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) at the Gallagher Convention Centre, 9am-5pm.

Printers in graphics or textiles, or sign makers, know that process automation software, AI tools, and sustainability demands are creating the need to adapt to stay viable in competitive markets. FESPA’s Print Census now runs on a six-month cycle to deliver more relevant insights, more often. It takes just 10 minutes to complete.

Contributors gain exclusive access to up-to-date benchmarking data that will help them: see how their business compares to competitors, guide their next investment decisions and stay ahead of market trends. They’ll also receive a copy of the Free Executive Summary, and a chance to win one of five Amazon gift cards.

This edition focuses on three key areas driving change across the print industry:

Sustainability: with 72% of print buyers seeking eco-friendly solutions, sustainability is no longer optional. Encouragingly, most print service providers (PSPs) report meeting demands without raising prices. This reflects a growing opportunity to align environmental responsibility with profitability.

Artificial Intelligence: AI is streamlining operations by automating prepress, job scheduling, and colour management. It’s also unlocking scalable personalisation through intelligent customer data analysis, enhancing both efficiency and engagement.

Process automation: to meet growing demand for faster turnarounds and smaller job runs, automation is eliminating production bottlenecks, increasing throughput, and reducing labour costs.

The completion of the FESPA Print Census can be done online or at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo. The event is taking place from 9-11 September 2025 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) at Gallagher Convention Centre and is sponsored by Stixo and Roland. Entrance is free, please register online.

FESPA members will receive the complete Print Census report as part of their membership benefits.

FESPA
www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com/print-census