Event Review
Wrapping up WrapFest’s Barcelona debut
Interested in all things wrapping? Well, WrapFest, co-located at FESPA, had it all. Sign Update spoke to Duncan MacOwan, head of marketing & events at FESPA, about WrapFest’s highlights and the World Wrap Masters event.
Industry
experts spoke at WrapFest
wrapping applications are now increasingly shaped by integrated print, design and fabrication technologies, enabling more seamless production workflows from concept through to installation. This convergence is opening up new commercial pathways, supporting service diversification and allowing businesses to adapt more effectively to changing client requirements. Following its first edition in Barcelona,
WrapFest 2026 reflected continued momentum in the wrapping and vinyl application sector, strengthened by its closer alignment with the wider FESPA platform.
W
rapFest 2026 was held, alongside FESPA Global Print Expo, European
Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, Textile and Corrugated. Operating under the theme ‘The Place
for Experts’, the co-located events brought together professionals from across the wrapping, speciality print, packaging and signage sectors for four days of innovation, networking, and live demonstrations. WrapFest provided a platform for
manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to showcase their latest developments, from advanced print and finishing systems to emerging surface solutions designed to improve durability, efficiency and visual impact. Throughout the duration of the event, visitors engaged with an array of materials and application techniques, gaining firsthand insight into how the wrapping industry continues to advance. Alongside product showcases,
attendees had the opportunity to exchange expertise and discuss the unique challenges facing their businesses, including evolving
| 54 | July/August 2026
production workflows, sustainability pressures and the growing demand for faster turnaround times without compromising quality. Duncan said: “We’re confident that the
connections formed, insights shared, and innovations showcased will continue to drive innovation and collaboration across the industry long after the event.”
Where wrap meets print Following its launch in 2023 as a standalone event, the 2026 edition marked a new era for WrapFest as it became an even bigger component in FESPA’s wider exhibition ecosystem. The cross-sector environment
cultivated in Barcelona allowed attendees to explore how wrapping aligns with print, signage, packaging, textile and personalisation. For example, onsite, vehicle wrappers could gain an insight into the latest advancements in print technology that improve colour consistency and production speed, while signage professionals had the opportunity to explore new interior and exterior wrapping techniques. Rather than operating in isolation,
Event highlights WrapFest occupied more than 2,000m/sq of exhibition space and featured a range of products and solutions for the wrapping and vinyl applications market. The event became a platform for visitors to explore the latest innovations across window films, garage interiors, laminating machinery, vinyl cutting and finishing equipment, inks, printable films, PPF and colour change. Exhibitors included APA, Antalis,
Arlon, Carlas, Hexis, LX Hausys, GSWF, Legend PPF and SOIF, with many using the event to showcase new products and applications. During the event, Arlon launched its
new Paint Protection Film (PPF) range, designed to enhance vehicle aesthetics while providing long-lasting protection against damage. The range includes coloured and clear protection film series, the Premium Colour Change range, and the Arlon DPF V9700, a PVC-free product designed to support environmental sustainability. In addition, Summa launched its F-Series Vantage flatbed cutter, designed to meet the needs of sign, display, and industrial production businesses. The breadth of participation reflected a
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