Michael Ryan: Embracing Speciality Print at FESPA 2025

Can you tell us about FESPA Global Print Expo and its objectives in the print and signage industries?

FESPA Global Print Expo is dedicated to providing a pivotal platform for members of the print and signage communities to connect and explore the latest innovations, technologies, and trends within the industries. Our objective is to continue to provide this platform, acting as the ultimate meeting point for printers and sign-makers to congregate.

The event has seen some of the most pivotal launches across the entire speciality print industry, welcomed leading brands and suppliers from across the globe, and invited visitors to connect with other like-minded business professionals.

Under the strapline ‘where visionaries meet’, the 2025 events place emphasis on our incredible FESPA community, positioning our visitors, exhibitors, FESPA Award winners, association members, and more, as forward-thinking professionals, ready to exchange and share their knowledge and experiences from working in the industry.

Why did FESPA decide to return to Berlin for this year’s show?

After three years since FESPA was last hosted in the German capital city, Messe Berlin, which has more than 200 years of experience as a trade show venue, is all set to host our 2025 events in May. Returning visitors are familiar with the city and Berlin itself is well-known for its history, as well as its trusted connections and established speciality print market.

As our community consists of different organisations across the globe, it’s crucial for us to accommodate all of them to the best of our ability. By altering the location of our events each year, we are able to develop new and existing relationships and uncover the trends in each regional market.

What differences can visitors expect in 2025, especially considering the event calendar is less full than last year?

In an ever-evolving industry like print, no year is ever the same; different trends emerge, technologies advance, and new players enter the market. Visitors to the 2025 events can discover these and more throughout the exhibitions halls this year.

Our comprehensive feature programme is what sets us apart from other exhibitions. This year, I am delighted to welcome back both World Wrap Masters and the FESPA Awards, plus introduce the new SmartHub feature.

The SmartHub will comprise of an exhibition space, as well as a series of expert-led conference sessions, delving beneath the surface of trends, including sustainability, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and more for garment decoration, apparel production, and interior décor. Visitors to the feature can also attend a series of production tours.

By altering the location of our events each year, we are able to develop new and existing relationships and uncover the trends in each regional market

World Wrap Masters is also back for 2025. For the first two days of the event, regional competitors will battle it out, wrapping both vehicles and surprise objects. On the final two days of the event the winners will then progress, competing to be crowned World Wrap Masters 2025 champion.

Alongside this, visitors to the feature can also attend a series of live training workshops and demonstrations.

The FESPA Awards 2025 are also returning to this year’s event. Delegates can celebrate excellence and innovation across print and signage, exploring this year’s shortlisted entries across 18 different categories including print, signage, vehicle wrapping, packaging, special effects, garment and textiles, and more. The winners will then be announced at the official awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 7th.

How important is the presence and offerings of big manufacturers at FESPA Global Print Expo?

The presence of big manufacturers at FESPA Global Print Expo sets the tone and narrative for the speciality print sector. Their participation not only attracts a global audience, but it also supports collaboration and knowledge-sharing among professionals. New technologies and product launches highlight the event’s role as a hub for discovering and unveiling new innovations and trends.

This year, we are set to welcome over 550 exhibitors including AGFA, Brother, Canon, Design Huddle, Durst, Ecker Textiles, Fujifilm, Graphictac Film, Kit Builder, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, LIYU, Mutoh, Printess, PrintFactory, Roland, and swissQprint.

Of the confirmed exhibitors, there are already over 75 product launches confirmed across the three events, reinforcing FESPA’s status as a pivotal launch platform for the speciality print and signage industries.

What brand partners have you teamed up with this year and why?

This year we are working alongside our industrial solutions partner, Brother, our digital excellence partner, Durst, our heat print technology partner, STAHL, and our thought leadership partner, Keypoint Intelligence.

With 116 years of experience in garment printing and sewing, our partnership with Brother will enable us to explore the capabilities within the textile printing industry.

Durst is dedicated to providing digital printing and production technologies across the globe across a range of verticals, including packaging, labels and flexible packaging, ceramics, large-format and graphics, textile and wallpaper, and corrugated. This will support us in targeting visionaries in even the most niche markets.

Specialising in custom heat transfer, STAHLS has experience across the garment industry, working with customers across fashion, sports, workwear, and more, allowing us to expand our expertise in these sectors further.

As a leader in global data and market intelligence for digital imaging, Keypoint Intelligence will provide test-based analytical information, competitive intelligence, and sales enablement to visitors looking to explore this further.

FESPA Global Print Expo specifies itself as an expo for speciality print, how important do you think that is and how much do you feel this area is expanding?

Welcoming an international visitor and exhibitor base enables speciality printers to explore trends and technologies beyond their own regional markets. Our events provide opportunities for networking and revelation, at which print professionals have witnessed the development and expansion of the industry year on year.

Over recent years in particular, we have seen a shift towards personalised products and services, increased sustainability, and the integration of digital technologies. We expect these to be pertinent across all three events as leading brands and suppliers continue to adapt and implement these trends into their businesses.

The Personalisation Experience is returning for a third year, can you talk us through that decision and the benefits it brings to FESPA and its visitors?

The Personalisation Experience will once again offer actionable and educational advice on the value of integrating customisation into their business offerings. Visitors will be able to network with a host of experts, explore the latest customisation-enabling solutions and products, and discuss how personalisation can help shape the future of their business and the wider print industry.

Can you tell us more about this year’s conferences and the thoughts behind them?

Visitors can attend a four-day conference programme within the Personalisation Experience, providing a valuable insight into sustainability, automation, and more. Confirmed speakers to date include:

Deborah Corn, founder of Print Media Centr and executive director of Girls Who Print, will discuss how to ‘Lock Down Profits by Selling the Security of Print, and the Power of Personalisation’

Oliver Mustoe-Playfair, owner of Prinfab, will explore ‘Personalised Production at Scale’

Rusty Pepper, head of Global Markets & Partnerships at Taylor OnDemand, Hans Scheffer, chief executive officer and co-founder of HelloPrint, and James Old, chief executive officer and founder of Prodigi Group, will explain ‘The Rise of B2B in Print-On-Demand: Mastering Personalisation to Drive Growth’

Is there any information you can give us for 2026 or what will be coming next from FESPA?

We are always planning ahead for our next launch, campaign, or event. Make sure you stay tuned to ensure that you do not miss an update from us! We will also reveal more about our plans for our 2026 events during FESPA Global Print Expo 2025.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

There are many elements of FESPA that I look forward to each year. Whether it’s networking with our visitors, exhibitors, board and association members, or the FESPA team; witnessing technology launches first hand; or delving into the latest print and signage trends, I always leave the event with a fresh perspective.

No year is ever the same, and I look forward to seeing everyone at Messe Berlin, Germany!