Business | Talking Point
talks to...
Graeme Richardson-Locke...
On the back of one of the largest FESPA shows, with its fi ve co-located events, we spoke to Graeme Richardson-Locke on his career, advice he has received and give, and experience at this year’s FESPA.
How did you first get involved in the print industry and FESPA?
I joined the screen-printing industry in 1984 as a trainee printer and spent the next four decades progressing through a range of management and director-level roles. During that time, I worked across multiple sectors including point-of-sale, signage, flexible circuits for military electronics and specialist effects printing using photochromic, thermochromic, and fragrance inks, before moving into garment decoration. Throughout my career, I wrote for a number of print trade magazines and spent several years as a technical representative and UK sales manager for ink and printing equipment suppliers. In 2003, I founded my fine art and photographic printing business, which traded successfully for 23 years. In addition, I was actively involved with the DPSPA in the UK prior to the formation of the FESPA UK Association, where I served on the board.
With extensive networking experience, I
developed a colour management workshop for FESPA and judged the FESPA Awards. Both of these reinforced my belief that the organisation and its mission to reinvest in the screen and digital printing community would be a natural next step in my career. I joined FESPA in 2018 and am now head of Associations and technical lead.
What is it about the industry that appeals to you? I have always been driven by creative thinking, and screen printing gave me the opportunity to produce a multitude of printed products, which kept me constantly engaged. Having witnessed the digitisation of the industry,
24 | June/July 2026
I was able to adopt inkjet printing in its early stages and see the rapid development of those technologies firsthand. At the same time, screen printing continues to evolve. Modern electronics – from mobile phones to solar technology – would not exist without it, while fashion and high-volume textile production would be far less dynamic. The market segments that have digitally transitioned, almost entirely, have become the foundation of a vibrant and highly successful world of visual communication. Having just returned from FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 and its co-located events in Barcelona, I saw how the use of neon inks, varnishes, and structured textures, alongside wide-gamut printers and associated technologies, continue to expand creative possibilities across the industry. FESPA has given me the responsibility of leading the FESPA associations team. All 37 associations are highly skilled trade bodies that support printers across all aspects of their operations and, most importantly, unite our community to share knowledge and address industry challenges.
Our core areas of focus include: the automation of workflows to drive efficiency, sustainable management practices to minimise waste and deliver lasting value, and adapting to meet customer expectations. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) impacts every aspect of business, driving efficiency and growth at an unprecedented pace. While its value is significant, it needs to be guided by real people to ensure accuracy and preserve individual business identity rather than generic output.
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