FESPA Review FESPA 2026: ‘A Place for Experts’
Did you miss this year’s FESPA? Well, do not fear; Printwear & Promotion has you covered, curating all the happenings at the event relevant to the world of wide-format just for you. To start, we spoke to Michael Ryan, head of FESPA Global Print Expo, about the event’s highlights and its many co-located events.
F
rom May 19 to 22 2026, at the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, FESPA 2026 – comprising FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest, Corrugated and Textile – served as the ideal meeting point for speciality printers and sign makers to network with a host of industry experts, discover new opportunities for business growth, and exchange knowledge and experiences with like-minded professionals.
This year’s strapline, ‘The Place for Experts’ was brought to life as visitors found both technology and industry experts on the show floor, as well as at the event’s three conference programmes. Every hall was designed to give specialists practical solutions to help their businesses work smarter and stay ahead of industry trends – be it through new technology, smarter workflows or fresh application ideas.
FESPA Global Print Expo The flagship event welcomed more than 15,200 visitors from across the globe to discover the latest trends, technologies and developments, as well as exchange and share their knowledge and expertise from across the entire print industry. The 2026 event welcomed more than 600 exhibitors, including Agfa, Canon, Durst, EFI, Epson, HP, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, Mimaki, Roland and Sun Chemical.
FESPA 2026 also incorporated three free-to-attend conference programmes: The FESPA Conference; The Corrugated Conference; and WrapTalks. The FESPA Conference provided insights into print, personalisation and textile, and comprised of a series of expert-led discussions that explored the challenges faced by printers, and how they can leverage opportunities into business growth.
Michael Ryan, head of FESPA Global Print Expo, said: “Overall, Barcelona was the perfect host city for FESPA 2026. With six co-located events bringing together specialists from across print,
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Visitors could see a wide range of brands and manufacturers from each corner of the industry
signage, personalisation, vehicle wrapping, packaging, textile and sportswear, the event offered a unique opportunity for visitors to explore innovation, discover new applications and connect with the global community – all under one roof.
A clearer view of industry trends Every year, visitors develop a clear view of the forces shaping the print industry, and this edition of FESPA Global Print Expo was no exception. Three dominant trends stood out across the show floor: personalisation, sustainability and automation.
Personalisation was more apparent on the show floor than ever before, as items such as bags, cups and cookies were printed live at the show for visitors. Expectations for tailored customer experiences are rising rapidly, and demand for unique, premium products has never been higher. From commercial and promotional print to packaging and apparel, consumers now expect customisation across virtually every category – which is pushing Print Service Providers (PSPs) to expand their capabilities and diversify their offerings. Sustainability has shifted from a differentiator to a basic requirement. With rising consumer expectations
and tightening regulatory frameworks, businesses across all verticals are expected to demonstrate environmental responsibility. Whether through the adoption of more eco-conscious materials or investment in energy-efficient technologies, PSPs are actively reshaping their operations to align with evolving environmental standards.
Automation was also apparent as a theme. As PSPs seek to reduce manual labour, minimise delays and eliminate downtime, automated solutions are becoming essential. From pre-press checks and finishing to maintenance and job handling, automation enables higher-volume production with fewer errors and faster turnaround times. In an environment where speed, reliability and consistency are critical, automation is now a central pillar for remaining competitive in fast-paced markets.
European Sign Expo
Dedicated solely to signage and visual communication, European Sign Expo spotlighted the latest products and solutions across channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, LED, sign solutions and more.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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