FuturePrint Podcast

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Breakthrough innovations often come from unexpected places. In this fascinating conversation, Dursun Acun of O&PM Europa reveals how a customer request to print directly onto bottles launched him on a journey that could transform flexible packaging printing forever.

What began as a search for better primers has evolved into a revolutionary solution that solves one of the industry's most persistent challenges: enabling water-based inkjet printing on virtually any substrate. Unlike existing technologies that require thick, expensive primer layers and specific materials, Dursun's innovation uses an extremely thin coating that dramatically reduces costs while expanding possibilities.

"Nobody sees water-based inkjet as a product on its own," Dursun explains, highlighting how the industry often misunderstands this technology's unique advantages. While competitors struggle with limited material compatibility, O&PM Europa's solution works with any substrate – from various plastics to metals and papers – allowing converters to use their own preferred materials rather than switching to costly alternatives.

The potential market impact is staggering. With an estimated €30 billion market for digitized flexible packaging currently underserved, this technology could unlock vast new opportunities. What makes this innovation particularly valuable is its alignment with growing demands for sustainability and safety. Dursun's commitment to developing non-toxic, environmentally friendly solutions stems from personal experience witnessing the tragic consequences of hazardous industrial chemicals in his community.

Now seeking industry partners to help scale this technology, Dursun envisions complete printing systems costing under €1 million that could print wider formats than current alternatives while maintaining total material flexibility. For converters, material manufacturers, and equipment developers looking to participate in the next wave of packaging innovation, this represents a chance to collaborate on something truly transformative.

Connect with Dursun via LinkedIn or email at [email protected] to explore how this game-changing primer technology could fit your business needs.

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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 digital revolution has transformed nearly every aspect of marketing, but one channel remains surprisingly underutilized despite its remarkable potential: the packaging that consumers literally hold in their hands. In this eye-opening conversation with Jenny Stanley, founder and director of Appetite Creative, we explore how connected packaging is creating powerful digital gateways between brands and consumers.

Stanley reveals the striking metrics behind connected packaging engagement, with scan rates of 7-8% dramatically outperforming traditional digital campaigns and average engagement times of 2-3 minutes per interaction. "Connected packaging is the only marketing channel where you have a consumer who literally has your product in their hands," Stanley explains. "It's actively the consumer's decision to make that interaction with your brand, so that's an incredibly palpable moment." This unique context, combined with the technology's ability to drive multiple interactions, can create up to 12 minutes of meaningful brand engagement per consumer.

The conversation dives deep into the technological evolution enabling this revolution, from serialized QR codes that give every package a unique identity to NFC technology offering premium "tap-to-engage" experiences. Stanley shares compelling case studies, including Woodlands Dairy's campaign that achieved a remarkable 30% sales uplift by providing sustainability education and rewards through connected packaging. She outlines three critical success factors: clear value exchange, multi-channel promotion, and content that resonates with consumer values.

Perhaps most importantly, Stanley highlights how regulatory changes like the EU Digital Product Passport are accelerating adoption, with 88% of brands planning to implement connected packaging by 2025. For brands just beginning this journey, she offers practical advice: "Start simple but start smart. Begin with a basic QR code, perhaps on one SKU. Don't try and stuff everything in all at once because you probably never get started."

Ready to explore how connected packaging can transform your brand's relationship with consumers? Listen now to discover the strategies and technologies driving this powerful marketing revolution.

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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

What if the greatest barrier to sustainability success isn't cost, materials, or regulation, but something far more fundamental? Matthew Rogerson, founder of The Pack Scout, reveals the startling truth uncovered in his research with over 220 executives from 185 global companies.

Behind the familiar challenges of sustainable packaging lies a profound misalignment that derails even the most well-intentioned initiatives. When departments pull in different directions—procurement focused solely on cost reduction while marketing and sustainability teams push for innovations that inevitably increase expenses—the result is compromised products that satisfy no one completely.

This disconnect extends beyond corporate walls to how companies communicate with consumers. "Companies talk about what they're doing and how it benefits them," Rogerson explains, "but they don't tell you or me as consumers why we should care." This failure to transfer ownership—helping customers see themselves benefiting from sustainable choices—undermines engagement with even the most eco-friendly offerings.

Perhaps most revealing is Rogerson's analysis of sustainable materials. His research demonstrates that virtually every alternative, from seaweed to mushroom-based packaging, would become 30-40% cheaper than virgin materials within approximately 6.5 years. Yet short-term business imperatives prevent companies from making investments that would yield substantial financial and environmental benefits over time.

The path forward requires fundamental shifts: adopting longer time horizons, ensuring all stakeholders collaborate from the outset of projects, establishing shared objectives that transcend departmental goals, and dramatically improving communication with consumers. Rogerson's comprehensive "Sustainable Packaging 2025-2035" report offers practical frameworks and decision-making tools to navigate these challenges.

Discover how to break through the sustainability stalemate and create genuinely aligned strategies that deliver for your business, your customers, and our planet. Connect with Matthew at www.thepackscout.com to learn more about his research and consulting services.

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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 intertwining worlds of print innovation and sustainability take centre stage as Stanislas de Missolz of Groupe Mediagraphic shares his company's remarkable journey through creative display solutions and environmental leadership. 

Founded over two decades ago in Lyon, this business has evolved into a powerhouse of print media distribution with a distinctive approach that transcends conventional business models. Stanislas reveals how their five-entity structure—including three specialized product companies complemented by an R&D operation in Shanghai and a dedicated sustainability arm—creates a unique ecosystem designed to anticipate market trends and deliver comprehensive solutions to complex display challenges.

What truly distinguishes Groupe Mediagraphic is their three-pillar strategy: expert prescription that extends beyond printers to advise major event organizers, innovative product development that ensures they're never competing on identical offerings, and a profound environmental conviction that transforms sustainability from obligation to opportunity. This approach culminated in their Kavalan Green Leader Award-winning project in the 'Innovation category'—a breathtaking open-air photography exhibition across Paris during the Olympics, featuring iconic sporting moments captured by renowned photographer Raymond Depardon.

Diving deeper into their sustainability practices, Stanislas shares fascinating details about their systematic approach to product lifecycle analysis and end-of-life management. From converting banners into artist-decorated flip-flops sold for charity to developing a dedicated recycling facility in Morocco, this business exemplifies how environmental responsibility can drive business innovation. Their meticulous tracking of chemical compositions and regulatory changes positions them at the forefront of an industry navigating change and complexity while still solving problems the bringing to life new ideas and 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

This podcast is a webinar discussion hosted June 27 by Elena Knight and featuring: Steve Lister, Stefan Casey, Carlos Lahoz, Matthew Rogerson and Jeff Freeman.

To view the replay, click here. 

To download the draft version of 'A Manifesto for Sustainable Print' click here

Show Notes: 

When five leading industry experts gather to tackle the question "Can print ever be truly sustainable?", the conversation quickly reveals how complex sustainability truly is in the print world.

The panel explores how different players across the value chain define sustainability differently - from substrate manufacturers to printers to brands - creating fundamental misalignment that hinders progress. As Steve Lister provocatively notes, "Print is inherently a sustainable industry" that we've complicated with modern materials and processes that are difficult to recycle.

What emerges clearly is that data transparency forms the backbone of sustainable transformation, yet remains the industry's Achilles heel. Stefan Casey emphasizes that without clean, standardized data that everyone can understand and act upon, sustainability efforts will continue to falter. The experts agree that collaborative ecosystems and shared language are essential for meaningful change.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when discussing responsibility. Should consumers bear the burden of sustainability decisions? The panel largely agrees that expecting consumers to navigate complex sustainability messaging is unrealistic. As one panelist notes, "I can't believe we still allow businesses to make products that are unrecyclable." The upcoming Green Claims Directive, with potential fines of 4% of company turnover for misleading claims, signals that regulatory pressure is mounting.

Most compelling is the introduction of the Sustainable Print Manifesto - an industry-wide initiative aiming to create alignment around sustainability best practices and establish a shared "North Star" for the entire value chain. This collaborative framework addresses design, compliance, and innovation while acknowledging that one size doesn't fit all.

For print professionals concerned about navigating the sustainability maze, this discussion offers practical wisdom: start by measuring your impact, focus on design (which determines 80% of environmental impact according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation), and embrace collaboration rather than trying to solve problems in silos. Join us in making print not just sustainable, but a positive force for environmental change.

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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

Phil Oakley takes us on a fascinating journey through the garment decoration industry, revealing a sector surprisingly behind the digital curve despite enormous potential for transformation. Drawing on four decades of experience across printing technologies, Oakley illuminates why he founded On Point Supply to tackle inefficiencies plaguing fashion supply chains.

The statistics he shares are eye-opening: of the 600 million t-shirts consumed annually in the UK, half bear decorations, yet only 70 million are produced through digital processes. The remaining 230 million rely on traditional methods, generating a staggering 40,000 tons of CO2 yearly. This disconnect between modern retail demands and outdated production methods creates a perfect storm of inefficiency, environmental impact, and missed opportunity.

What makes Oakley's perspective so valuable is his laser focus on workflow efficiency beyond just printing technology. He describes the evolution from a triangle of print value (image quality, speed, cost) to a square that now includes versatility. Throughout our conversation, he unpacks the fragmented software landscape where no single solution addresses all challenges for bulk production, requiring consultants like himself to identify specific pain points rather than attempting wholesale system replacement.

Perhaps most compelling is his comparison of the fashion industry to a car with a Tesla exterior (sleek e-commerce front-end) powered by a gas-guzzling Cadillac engine (outdated production processes). This visual perfectly captures why brands struggle with bloated inventories and unsustainable practices despite sophisticated consumer-facing technology.

Ready to explore how digital transformation could revolutionise your garment decoration business? Connect with Phil on LinkedIn or visit onpointsupply.co.uk to learn how focusing on workflow efficiency might be the key to reducing costs, minimising environmental impact, and meeting the demands of today's rapidly changing fashion 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

Send us Fan Mail

From Finland’s papermaking giants to Sweden’s design-led start-ups, the region is combining deep industrial heritage with cutting-edge innovation. Archipelago’s Powerdrop system makes paper containers waterproof, oilproof, and recyclable — running fast enough to match moulded pulp lines, and ready for global deployment.

This isn’t just sustainable design. It’s a scalable business model — and a major opportunity for the print and coatings industry.

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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 urban landscape is constantly evolving, with construction sites and building renovations an unavoidable part of city life. But what if these necessary disruptions could be transformed into stunning visual displays that enhance rather than detract from our shared spaces?

Greg Forster, founder of Embrace Building Wraps, joins the FuturePrint podcast to reveal how his company is revolutionizing the construction industry through creative, sustainable building wraps. From wrapping Oxford Street in a giant IKEA bag to creating illuminated architectural displays for luxury London developments, Greg shares the fascinating stories behind some of the UK's most iconic temporary installations.

Drawing on his background in outdoor advertising with companies like Diageo, Unilever, and Clear Channel, Greg explains how a chance conversation outside a pub led to the founding of Embrace Building Wraps in 2013. With a simple concept—conceal, disguise, or advertise—the company has grown to become an award-winning leader in sustainable large-format printing and installation.

The conversation delves into the extraordinary complexity of managing these projects, which Greg describes as "herding cats on a seesaw" with numerous stakeholders including clients, contractors, engineers, and installation teams. Learn about the meticulous planning, engineering calculations, and safety considerations required to transform scaffolding into enormous art installations that can withstand British weather for months on end.

At the heart of Embrace's success lies a genuine commitment to sustainability. Greg shares their pioneering work with PVC-free materials, their "Banner Karma" initiative that repurposes used materials, and their partnership with Ecologi that has led to the planting of over 17,000 trees globally. Their philosophy that "there should never be a conflict between supporting the future of our planet and turning a profit" offers valuable lessons for businesses in any sector.

Whether you're fascinated by urban design, construction, sustainability, or entrepreneurship, this conversation offers a unique glimpse into an industry that transforms the visual experience of our cities while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in large-format printing and installation.

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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

For twenty years, Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative) has created one of the print industry's most powerful communities – a global network where HP digital print users share knowledge, solve problems together, and accelerate innovation.

In this fascinating conversation, Marcus speaks with Peter van Teeseling, Executive Director of Dscoop, and Amir Raziel, Head of Global Strategy for HP Industrial Print, about the unique partnership that has transformed digital printing. "The decision to make Dscoop an independent organization has created that environment where we have our own space to play in and HP has their own space, and where there is overlap, that's where magic happens," explains Peter.

This magic manifests in tangible business outcomes. Members can instantly tap into global expertise when facing challenges, reducing risk and compressing learning cycles from months to days. During the pandemic, Dscoop members formed impromptu networks to share materials and regional insights. A quarterly leadership call connecting 100 volunteer leaders across continents became a permanent fixture, allowing businesses of all sizes to benefit from global market intelligence.

What makes Dscoop particularly powerful is its culture of openness. "There's an element of trust which is very unique to this group," notes Amir. Unlike traditional industry associations where competitors guard their secrets, Dscoop members willingly share both successes and failures. This transparency creates what Peter calls "a shared brain" that accelerates innovation far beyond what any single organization could achieve alone.

As the industry confronts transformative technologies like AI and automation, Dscoop continues to evolve, providing curated learning experiences that help members navigate complexity and seize new opportunities. The results speak for themselves – members consistently rate the business impact of their participation at nearly 9 out of 10.

Whether you're an HP digital print user looking to grow, a supplier seeking deeper customer connections, or simply curious about how communities can drive industry transformation, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the power of collaborative innovation. As Amir powerfully states: "The future of the print industry is ours to create... the more we collaborate, the better we will be."

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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, we speak with Dr Peter Brown and Rowan Beale from 42 Technology, a FuturePrint partner that may have cracked one of digital print’s most stubborn challenges: how to efficiently dry aqueous inks—without compromising substrates or sustainability goals.

Their RF dielectric drying technology delivers up to 75% energy efficiency, compared to just 5–15% with traditional drying methods such as hot air and near-infrared. Even more compelling, it enables high-quality aqueous ink printing on previously unsuitable materials like plastic films—opening new commercial possibilities for packaging and beyond.

🔍 Key Highlights:

Targeted Energy Use: RF dielectric drying heats only the ink—not the substrate or surrounding materials—making it highly efficient.

Consistent Results Across Colours: Unlike infrared drying, RF drying is colour-independent, eliminating issues with uneven drying times.

Aqueous Ink Momentum: With growing regulatory pressure and sustainability demands, aqueous inks are on the rise—but traditional drying has held them back. Until now.

Efficiency Gains: Hot air offers ~5% efficiency; near-IR ~15%. RF drying reaches up to 75%, significantly reducing energy costs.

Technical Breakthroughs: 42 Technology overcame major design challenges—including electrode development—to deliver a compact, cost-effective solution.

Challenging Industry Myths: The team proves that RF drying does work for thin ink films, overturning longstanding assumptions.

Broader Potential: Beyond print, applications include food industry moisture removal and medical microfluidic heating.

Looking Ahead: 42 Technology is now seeking development partners to help scale and commercialise this proven innovation.

This story also highlights how cross-industry expertise and unconventional thinking can unlock new solutions to persistent problems.

👉 Interested in partnership opportunities?

Visit 42technology.com and email Peter [email protected] or Rowan [email protected]

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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