A rundown of Print Mastermind Live! at The Print Show 2026
In this article, we outline the Print Mastermind Live! feature area of The Print Show, which allows visitors to meet and connect with leading experts from across print market
In this roundup article, we recap all the industry insights, key topics, and expert advice that will be covered at The Knowledge Zone on day three of The Print Show 2026
The Print Show has reached its final day for 2026, with both exhibitors and visitors at the annual print exhibition already reporting packed aisles, impressive sales results, and innumerable exciting showcases for print and its associated sectors.
This year once again saw the return of The Knowledge Zone, The Print Show’s official speaker zone covering a range of important topics such as sustainability, business growth, artificial intelligence, and staff wellbeing.
Here is a roundup of the print experts and key topics you can see at The Knowledge Zone for the final day of The Print Show’s tenth anniversary year.
In this session, Brendan Perring, general manager of the IPIA, will explore the thinking, research, and industry collaboration behind A New Narrative for Print – an ambitious initiative designed to reshape how print is understood by brands, marketers, policymakers, and wider society.
Drawing on research that reveals powerful associations between print, trust, attention, and credibility, Perring will examine why some of the long-established assumptions surrounding print no longer reflect the evidence – or its role within an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Crucially, the session will look beyond defending print against digital. Instead, it will explore how the industry can build a stronger, evidence-led narrative around print as a powerful physical medium that complements digital channels, drives engagement, and delivers measurable value.
In this session, Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka The Online Print Coach, will discuss how to confidently communicate value so clients see a printer as a partner, not a commodity.
The session will look at how to reframe price conversations, how to handle objections, and how to make buyers feel that working with the printer is worth paying more for. For those tired of “can you do it cheaper,” this session will help them shift the conversation and take back control of their margins.
Attendees will learn how to build confidence in pricing and value, view proven scripts and examples for handling price objections, and see how to position their expertise before the quote ever comes up.
In this session from sustainability consultant and print advocate, Steve Lister, you will hear how the industry-driven Sustainable Print Manifesto can help commercial printers rethink sustainability as a growth tool, not a compliance burden. This session will unpack the nine practical principles behind the manifesto and show how they can be used to strengthen client conversations, sharpen tender responses, and create a clearer point of difference in a crowded market.
Attendees will leave with practical knowledge they can apply straight away to improve credibility, add value beyond price, and use sustainability more effectively to grow their business and win new opportunities.
Representatives from Very Displays, Venture Banners, and Soyang will present a roundtable discussion about how the relationship between suppliers and print businesses is changing.
As customer expectations evolve, technology advances, and market pressures increase, suppliers are being asked to deliver far more than products alone. From technical expertise and business support to sustainability guidance and innovation, today’s strongest partnerships are built on collaboration and shared success.
Join these leading industry suppliers as they discuss how these relationships are evolving, what print businesses now expect from their partners, and how working together can unlock new opportunities, strengthen customer loyalty, and drive long-term growth for everyone involved.
Rounding off The Print Show 2026, Print Monthly will host a special panel session speaking to those who have been at the centre of the action throughout the show. This includes Print Monthly editor David Osgar and commissioning editor Jonathan Pert, alongside Knowledge Zone maestro Mark Stephenson and editor of Eye on Display, Jack Gocher.
The session will act as a chance for some of the leading voices in print media to talk about the changes and themes they are seeing in the industry in 2026.
Commenting on some of the positives and negatives throughout the year, the panel will assess what the industry landscape currently looks like for those working in print and signage.
With the panel speaking to the largest variety of visitors and exhibitors throughout The Print Show, the session will offer a unique recap of three days of presentations, conversations, and product discussions, with the panellists discussing how this reflects the industry in 2026.
