Specialist Printing Worldwide

28/11/2025

🚀 Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is having a major moment — and for good reason.

In a new article, Randi Kerkaert of Summa breaks down why DTF is expanding so rapidly and how innovative finishing solutions are helping push the technology even further.
From improved durability to unmatched versatility, DTF is quickly becoming a go-to choice for creators and manufacturers alike. Summa’s specialised cutting systems are playing a key role in this growth, enabling cleaner workflows, higher precision, and faster production.

If you’re looking to stay ahead of trends in digital print, customisation, or apparel decoration, this is a must-read. 👇
📄 Check out the full story to see where DTF is heading next.
https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/summa-s3-vinyl-cutters-for-the-cutting-of-dtf-prints/

28/11/2025

🎙️ From DTF to Dark Factories: The Future of Textile & Wide-Format printing.

The textile, apparel, and wide-format printing industries are evolving at record speed. Changing consumer expectations, sustainability pressures, and rapid innovation are reshaping everything from production models to supply chain strategies.

In this podcast, Johnny Shell and David Sweetnam from Keypoint Intelligence break down the trends transforming the sector — including the rise of DTF, the move toward dark factories, and what the next wave of print technology means for businesses.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen on all major platforms or via our website:
https://www.specialistprinting.com/printconnect-podcast/

The go-to podcast for anyone passionate about the world of specialist printing. Each episode, we sit down with industry leaders to explore the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative techniques shaping the future of print. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just curious about...

28/11/2025

🚀 Future-Proofing OEM Technology Through Smarter Ink Formulation
In today’s fast-evolving regulatory and market landscape, staying ahead means designing systems that are safe, sustainable, and adaptable.
In this insightful article, Dr. Ralf Müller of Siegwerk Druckfarben breaks down why a two-tiered, differentiated ink formulation strategy is essential for successful system integration.
If you’re involved in packaging, printing, inks, or OEM system design, this is a must-read.
👉 Check out the full article to learn how a smarter formulation strategy can future-proof your technology.
https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/the-role-of-ink-formulation-in-future-proofing-press-technology/

27/11/2025

If you work with high-performance printing applications, this one’s worth your time.

In a recent article, Robin McMillan of Sun Chemical breaks down why 2-component (2c) inks are essential when projects demand top-tier physical performance — think lightfastness, weather resistance, adhesion, abrasion resistance, and chemical durability.

From glass and metals to durable plastics and polyolefins, these challenging substrates often push 1-component (1c) inks beyond their limits. Robin explains how 2c systems rise to the challenge — and also sheds light on the formulation, process control, and post-processing complexities that come with them.

If you're navigating demanding print environments or want to understand where 2c inks make the difference, this is a must-read.
👉 Check out the full article to learn more. https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/processing-and-use-of-2-component-inks/

27/11/2025

🍸 How a Belgian Distillery Is Reinventing Personalisation
What happens when a craft distillery with a passion for bespoke spirits meets cutting-edge direct-to-object printing?
You get a standout customer experience—and a great success story.
In our latest case study, Hendrik Koemans from Inkcups Now Corp. shares how the Helix ONE® technology is enabling Sterkstokers, a distillery in Brecht, Belgium, to offer fully personalised bottle designs to match their custom spirit blends.
From unique flavour creation to customised bottle artwork,

Sterkstokers is giving customers the ability to design spirits that are truly their own—and DTO printing is a key part of making that personalisation seamless, consistent and scalable.

👉 Read the full story to see how Helix ONE® is helping bring creativity to life, one bottle at a time. https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/bespoke-direct-to-object-printing/

Hendrik Koemans from Inkcups, details how the company’s Helix ONE® technology is helping Sterkstokers distillery offer bespoke direct-to-object (DTO) printing on its bottles

27/11/2025

🚀 New Insight for Furniture Manufacturers & Decor Printers
Edge banding might be a small detail in furniture production—but it plays a huge role in durability, aesthetics, and final product quality.
In our latest article, Rita Torfs at Agfa dives into how the company’s Altamira Design PID inks are raising the bar in edge-band printing, delivering:
🎨 A significantly wider colour gamut
🔍 Superior metamerism control
💡 More consistent visual match with decorative surfaces

Whether you're working with ABS, PP, PVC, melamine or wood veneer, the right ink set can make all the difference in achieving high-end, perfectly matched results.
If you’re involved in décor printing, furniture production, or surface innovation, this is a great read.

👉 Check out the full article to see how advanced ink technology is reshaping the possibilities in edge-band printing.
https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/advancing-edge-banding-agfas-uv-inkjet-ink-solution/

Agfa Inkjet Solutions

27/11/2025

More customers want smaller, more frequent orders — without slower turnaround times. 🚀
In a new article, Jayson Tompkins​ of STAHLS shares 8 smart ways print shops can use automation and scalable systems to turn low-quantity orders into high-margin opportunities.
If you’re a medium to large custom-apparel decorator looking to meet POD demand without overwhelming your team, this is a must-read. 👇
https://www.specialistprinting.com/articles/eight-print-shop-growth-moves/

Stahls'- All Things Heat Printing.

27/11/2025

Durst P5 SMP – The Game Changer in Large Format Printing.
Durst Group AG, a leading manufacturer of digital printing and production technologies, celebrated the official launch of the P5 SMP, the new Super Multi-Pass solution, together with customers from around the world at its site in Lienz, Austria, on November 6, 2025.
With this system, Durst introduces a printing solution distinguished by exceptional versatility and performance. The maximum production capacity reaches five million square meters per year. Find out more
https://www.specialistprinting.com/news/n-988-durst-p5-smp-the-game-changer-in-large-format-printing/

The P5 SMP is a hybrid LED multi-pass inkjet system with a printing width of 3.5 meters, designed for both board and roll printing. Based on the proven P5 platform, it provides a powerful alternative to conventional single-pass systems. The P5 SMP was fir

27/11/2025

Inkcups Appoints New Service Manager for Europe.
Inkcups Now Corp., a global leader in the printing industry, has appointed Sebastian Teichmann as its new Service Manager Europe where he will oversee installations, integrations and service support for Inkcups’ customers across Europe and the UK. Find out more
https://www.specialistprinting.com/news/n-987-inkcups-appoints-new-service-manager-for-europe/

A crucial role in delivering on Inkcups’ commitment to providing dedicated support and service to its customers globally, Sebastian will oversee technical installations across Inkcups’ entire European reach. In addition to overseeing service calls, co

19/11/2025

Hybrid Software Helix launches world’s first GPU-native Industrial Inkjet RIP.
Hybrid Software Helix (formerly Global Graphics Software) has launched SmartRIP™, an innovative industrial inkjet RIP (raster image processor) for OEMs and integrators. SmartRIP is the world’s first GPU-native RIP, delivering exceptional performance and scalability for a wide range of industrial printing applications. It offers a streamlined feature set and optimized pricing designed specifically for the broader industrial print market rather than high-end digital presses for label and packaging applications. Find out more
https://www.specialistprinting.com/news/n-984-hybrid-software-helix-launches-worlds-first-gpu-native-industrial-inkjet-rip/

19/11/2025

🚨 Hot off the press!

The latest issue of Specialist Printing Worldwide is here — packed with global insights, success stories, and groundbreaking innovations from across the print community.

✨ This issue celebrates the remarkable achievements taking place across the sector. It highlights the people, processes, and partnerships that are pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible.

Whether you’re exploring new technologies, rethinking production workflows, or finding ways to stand out in a competitive market, you’ll discover practical insights and fresh inspiration within these pages.

📖 Don’t miss it — there’s so much to explore!
👉 Read it here: https://www.specialistprinting.com/read-the-magazine/specialist-printing-worldwide-issue-4-2025/

A huge thank-you to all our incredible contributors and partners who make each issue possible. Agfa Inkjet Solutions Avient Corporation Dantex Group EmeraldX ESMA vzw FESPA FIMOR FuturePrint Gallus Group Global Inkjet Systems Ltd (GIS) Grafco srl Italy Grünig-Interscreen AG Heraeus Electronics INO SD Print IST INTECH Keypoint Intelligence M&R Printing Equipment Meteor Inkjet Ltd Nazdar Ink Technologies Ricoh Europe Sefar Group Siegwerk SPGPrints SPS TechnoScreen GmbH STAHLS'​ Summa, Inc. Sun Chemical TECHNIGRAF GmbH Two Sides UK Xaar ZENTNER Systems GmbH

13/11/2025

LOPEC 2026: printed electronics for a smart life.
LOPEC, the international trade fair and conference for flexible, organic and printed electronics, will be held in Munich from February 24 to 26, 2026. With a focus on smart living, companies and research institutes from all over the world are presenting intelligent products that make our lives safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable. Find out more
https://www.specialistprinting.com/news/n-986-lopec-2026-printed-electronics-for-a-smart-life/

“Printed electronics remains on course even in turbulent times,”  says Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of LOPEC co-organizer OE-A, an international working group within VDMA. Hecker continues. “With numerous innovations, LOPEC 2026 demonstr