FuturePrint Podcast

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In this special edition of the FuturePrint Podcast, recorded just after a bustling week at Labelexpo in Barcelona, we sit down with three leading analysts from Keypoint Intelligence: Jeff Wettersten, Charles Lissenburg, and Marc Mascara. Together, they unpack the latest trends shaping the labels and packaging industry, drawing on insights from across the show floor.

Jeff takes us on a journey through the evolution of Labelexpo, from the introduction of inkjet presses in 2008 to the latest Chinese technology making waves in 2025. He highlights three dominant themes: productivity, embellishment, and the shift from “low-volume” to managing real industrial volumes with digital presses.

Marc brings a fresh perspective from the packaging and labels advisory service, spotlighting capacity utilisation and the next generation of younger product managers shaping the industry. He also points to hybrid printing and high-resolution 1200 dpi heads as areas gaining real momentum.

Charles rounds off the discussion by reflecting on the overall atmosphere in Barcelona—improved venue, strong attendance, and an unmistakable sense of optimism despite recent market headwinds. He also stresses the growing importance of workflow software and data-driven productivity in enabling converters to scale profitably.

The conversation also explores the rapid improvement of Chinese OEMs, the future of AI in workflows and customer service, and the risks and rationale behind the Labelexpo rebrand to LOUPE.

This episode is a must-listen for converters, OEMs, and brand owners who want to understand where the labels and packaging industry is heading. Expect straight-talking analysis, insider observations, and a snapshot of how digital print is evolving into a mainstream production tool.

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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 special episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, recorded ahead of Labelexpo, Marcus Timson is joined by Dr. Simon Daplyn and Allan Bendall from Sun Chemical to explore a bold new campaign designed to showcase the true potential of digital inkjet in packaging and labels.

Simon explains why Sun Chemical has shifted the conversation away from technical minutiae toward the bigger story: how inkjet can deliver real business value for converters and brands. From flexible workflows and SKU agility to connected packaging and data-driven engagement, digital print is positioned not as a replacement for analogue, but as a powerful complement that brings flexibility, efficiency, and new creative opportunities.

Allan introduces Sun Chemical’s new “toolkit” of fully finished packaging samples—including labels, pouches, flow wraps, and cartons—developed in collaboration with OEM and supply-chain partners. Using vibrant fruit-themed designs and variable data, the samples demonstrate the versatility of inkjet: the ability to print high-quality packaging with virtually infinite variation, minimal waste, and a seamless path from concept to finished product.

Together, Simon and Allan underline how Sun Chemical is enabling the industry to rethink print not just as a process, but as a platform for brand storytelling, consumer engagement, and sustainable production.

If you’re heading to Labelexpo, don’t miss Sun Chemical at Hall 3, Stand D92 to see the campaign in action and experience the future of digital packaging first-hand.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we welcome back Martin Burns, who represents the OEM inks division at Nazdar. While Nazdar is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading ink manufacturers, its OEM business plays a more behind-the-scenes but strategically vital role in shaping the future of industrial inkjet.

Martin explains how the OEM group works closely with printer and printhead manufacturers, system integrators, and other partners across the inkjet ecosystem. Unlike the mainstream distribution side of the business, which follows a traditional product development cycle, the OEM division is about co-creation: embedding chemistry expertise into the earliest stages of hardware design. In many cases, Nazdar effectively becomes the “chemistry department” for its partners, providing direct access to R&D specialists and offering solutions that de-risk new product launches.

The conversation highlights how agility and innovation underpin this approach. From ultra-high viscosity inks that unlock new industrial applications, to sustainability-driven solutions such as faster-drying water-based inks, Martin demonstrates how chemistry is enabling inkjet to enter new markets—from packaging and textiles to additive manufacturing and functional deposition.

Looking ahead, Martin sees major opportunities in water-based packaging, functional coatings, and industrial manufacturing, where inkjet is increasingly valued not for decoration but for its ability to deposit precise fluids that make devices work.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

The printing industry stands at a critical environmental crossroads, with both opportunities and challenges ahead. In this illuminating conversation, Dominic Harris, CEO of CarbonQuota, returns to the FuturePrint Podcast to reveal how carbon measurement is fundamentally transforming the print and packaging sectors.

With over three decades in print, Harris brings both deep industry knowledge and a pragmatic sustainability perspective. He explains why accurate carbon footprinting is no longer optional—driven not only by looming legislation in the EU, North America, and beyond, but also by brand-led procurement policies from companies like Lego, Ikea, and Amazon.

Harris demystifies the complexity of CO₂e calculations, showing how every stage—materials, energy use, production processes, and logistics—affects a product’s impact. He warns that relying on averages can create errors of up to 60%, undermining credibility and potentially leading to accusations of greenwashing.

The conversation explores how automation and integration with MIS/ERP platforms are making product-level carbon reporting faster, cheaper, and more accurate—freeing up resources and helping printers win business in an increasingly sustainability-focused marketplace. Harris stresses that collaboration across the supply chain is essential, with low-carbon materials, greener transport, and technology partnerships accelerating change.

The episode also highlights CarbonQuota’s role as a founding partner of the Manifesto for More Sustainable Print, a practical framework designed to help printers take their first steps towards decarbonisation without unnecessary complexity.

Whether you’re running a large print group or a small independent shop, Harris’s advice is clear: start measuring now, secure leadership buy-in, and position your business to meet growing demands from both regulators and customers.

A must-listen for anyone in print or packaging who wants to understand where the industry is heading—and how to stay ahead.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson is joined by Rob Karsten, EMEA Director for Advanced Lighting Systems at Excelitas, to explore how the company’s expanded product range is transforming print curing.

Since acquiring Phoseon Technology nearly three years ago—and later Noblelight from Heraeus—Excelitas has built one of the most comprehensive curing portfolios in the industry. By uniting UV, LED, infrared, excimer, and thermal technologies under a single brand, Excelitas now offers printers and converters an unparalleled ability to tailor solutions to their specific needs.

Rob explains how this broadening of capability allows Excelitas to address the full spectrum of curing requirements, from high-performance UV inkjet to aqueous coatings and hybrid press configurations. With the expertise of former Noblelight specialists in infrared and the longstanding UV LED knowledge of the Phoseon team, customers benefit from a unified source of deep technical know-how and practical application support.

Looking ahead to LabelExpo in Barcelona, Rob previews the launch of Nexus II—an enhanced UV LED curing platform with new form factors, improved performance, and advanced data integration for predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0 workflows. He also discusses the resilience of the label sector, where efficiency, energy savings, and performance upgrades—such as converting arc-lamp presses to UV LED—are driving strong demand for retrofit solutions.

From hybrid press trends to the economics of energy savings, Rob shares insights into how curing technology is evolving to meet the challenges of tighter margins, sustainability goals, and increasingly complex print applications.

If you’re attending LabelExpo, this episode offers a valuable preview of what to expect from Excelitas, and why their “one supplier, every solution” approach is lighting up new possibilities for the future of print.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we sit down with Marc Graindourze, Senior Business Manager for Industrial Inks at Agfa, to explore the opportunities and challenges of digital print in the decorative surfaces market.

Marc has spent more than a decade focused on decorative applications and brings deep insight into where digital printing is gaining traction—covering flooring, furniture, edge banding, wall panels, and beyond. He explains how inkjet is moving from niche to mainstream as producers seek greater design freedom, shorter lead times, and more sustainable workflows.

A central theme is the shift from analogue gravure to single-pass digital, enabling faster time-to-market and reduced waste. Marc highlights how today’s inkjet systems offer lower consumption, improved colour management, and batch-to-batch consistency, making them economically viable for manufacturers. He also emphasises the crucial role of ink chemistry, noting that decorative printing demands a different colour palette, tuned for subtle wood tones, pastel shades, and long-term indoor stability.

We also discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping design workflows, creating new levels of variety and randomisation that are impossible with traditional printing methods. AI-generated designs, coupled with inkjet’s flexibility, are helping brands deliver richer choice to consumers while managing production risk more effectively.

Sustainability is never far from the conversation. From UV LED curing and reduced waste, to water-based inks for décor papers, Marc outlines how digital print is aligning with industry standards and brand-owner requirements for greener production.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of decorative surfaces—where innovation, creativity, and economics converge to position inkjet as a truly competitive alternative.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Stefan Casey, Head of Ecosystem at io.tt, whose career journey spans design, packaging, academia, FMCG innovation and now the cutting edge of connected packaging.

Stefan’s story is far from conventional. From early days in publishing and advertising, through pivotal roles at Nestlé where he pioneered digital print and sustainable packaging innovation, to his current role helping brands embrace connected packaging, his eclectic background reflects a rare ability to bridge creativity and technology.

The conversation explores how connected packaging—enabled through QR codes, NFC and other technologies—is transforming packaging from a static wrapper into a dynamic digital interface. Stefan explains how brands like Boots, Madri and Moose Knuckles are already using packaging to enhance safety, improve accessibility, engage consumers and even meet regulatory requirements such as digital product passports.

Stefan is passionate about the power of collaboration, both within teams and with external partners, to drive positive change. He believes that bringing together champions, engineers, commercial and technical experts, and external collaborators is essential for success. For Stefan, there is no ‘I’ in ‘we’—because we are always stronger together. 

Key themes include:

• The “buckets of change” reshaping print and packaging: environment, innovation, fit-for-purpose design and digital transformation.
• Why collaboration across ecosystems—not silos—is essential to unlocking cost savings and new value.
• The growing role of digital print in enabling scalable personalisation, interactivity and traceability.
• How consumer expectations around transparency, sustainability and security are forcing brands to rethink packaging strategies.
• The disruptive role of artificial intelligence, both as a threat to jobs and a catalyst for scaling innovation.

Stefan also shares insights from his work with the Manifesto for More Sustainable Print, an industry-wide initiative addressing the overlooked impact of inks and coatings on the environment.

An engaging discussion for anyone interested in the future of packaging, print technology, sustainability, and the intersection of creativity and digital innovation.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

The print industry stands at a transformative junction in 2025, facing challenges that demand innovative solutions and strategic thinking. Keypoint Intelligence CEO Anthony Sci takes us deep into the forces reshaping print businesses worldwide, offering valuable perspective on navigating these turbulent waters.

Tariffs dominate the current business landscape, with increases ranging from 5-25% creating widespread uncertainty. Yet amid this disruption, Sci identifies a silver lining - companies are developing leaner approaches and embracing technological solutions to overcome economic hurdles. Strategic partnerships have proliferated as manufacturers seek cost efficiencies, with major collaborations between print giants reflecting a fundamental shift in how the industry approaches production challenges.

Perhaps most striking is the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence across the print ecosystem. Despite its growing prevalence, Sci reveals that approximately 80% of companies still lack formal AI policies - a significant vulnerability as employees independently leverage these tools. The convergence of AI with robotics presents particularly promising solutions to the industry's persistent labor shortage, especially as companies struggle to attract younger generations to print careers.

While traditional print segments continue their gradual decline, specific niches shine brightly. Labels, packaging, and textiles represent substantial growth opportunities, with digital transformation still in early stages across these sectors. China and India lead in textile innovation, while cross-regional knowledge exchange drives advancement throughout the global market.

Looking ahead, industry consolidation appears inevitable after years of competitive pressure that has steadily eroded profits. For business leaders, success will depend on embracing emerging technologies, preparing for structural changes, and developing creative approaches to talent acquisition.

Ready to gain deeper insights into print industry trends? Connect with Keypoint Intelligence and FuturePrint at upcoming events including LabelExpo Barcelona, Printing United and FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich to explore how these developments might impact your business strategy.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

Matt Brooks has recently joined Nazdar. I really enjoyed talking to Matt! In this episode, he takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of digital print technology, sharing how a summer job in a printing ink factory unexpectedly launched his 25-year career in chemistry and innovation. From accidentally discovering his passion for ink formulation to pioneering UV inkjet solutions at Seriicol and then Inca Digital, Matt reveals the surprising twists that led him to become a leading voice in print technology.

The conversation explores a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the industry – the importance of ink and materials in print innovation. Matt makes a compelling case for why ink chemistry deserves more attention in the development process, explaining how treating ink formulation as an afterthought leads to compromises and inefficiencies that ultimately slow adoption. His vision for bringing ink developers into the equipment design phase from the beginning offers a compelling perspective on how the industry might accelerate digital transformation.

When discussing the future of digital print in packaging, Matt offers valuable insights into what's needed for broader adoption. Rather than focusing solely on replacing conventional processes, he advocates for a collaborative approach that helps converters see digital as complementary to their existing operations. His suggestion that digital solutions need to target the 5-12,000 unit range to truly penetrate mainstream production challenges conventional thinking about digital's place in the market.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Matt reveals his passion for strongman competitions, drawing fascinating parallels between lifting 400kg weights and advancing print technology. The mental discipline, focus, and resilience required in both pursuits create an unexpected connection between these seemingly disparate worlds. His three-part formula for future success – listening better, practicing patience, and fostering collaboration – reflects wisdom gained from both the gym floor and the innovation lab. Ready to rethink how digital print evolves? This episode offers essential perspectives from someone who's helped shape the industry from the inside out.

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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

Send us Fan Mail

Michael Strehlow brings over 35 years of print industry expertise to his role as Account Manager for Corrugated EMEA at Domino Printing Sciences. Having joined the company in April 2025, he's on a mission to expand Domino's digital corrugated printing footprint across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The corrugated packaging landscape is undergoing seismic shifts. Major consolidations have reshaped the market as industry giants like International Paper, Smurfit Kappa, and Stora Enso expand through strategic acquisitions. These developments follow post-COVID overcapacity issues and reflect companies' desires to strengthen regional market positions amid economic uncertainty.

Despite the corrugated industry's traditionally conservative approach to new technology, digital printing offers compelling advantages. Domino's X630i single-pass digital press with water-based ink technology eliminates the complexities of plate production, press preparation, and color setup while enabling QR codes, personalization, and serialization. For jobs ranging from 1 to 50,000 pieces, digital can be significantly more efficient, though manufacturers must analyze their job mix to identify where digital creates the most value.

What makes Domino particularly strong in this space? With inkjet expertise dating back to 1978 and now backed by the Brother Group, Domino develops and manufactures critical components in-house, including inks and printheads. Their Swiss-made X630i press directly addresses modern sustainability and productivity requirements.

The EMEA region presents diverse opportunities, with Germany leading European production, followed by Italy and Spain. Middle Eastern markets, particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE, show greater appetite for innovation and investment in new technologies. Meanwhile, Domino pursues ambitious sustainability goals, having reduced emissions by 44% since 2015 and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

Want to learn more about digital solutions for corrugated packaging? Connect with Domino at upcoming industry events including FEFCO Rome, Fachpack Nürnberg, and various regional packaging shows throughout EMEA.

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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