FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 is taking place from May 6 to 9 in Berlin
The FESPA Global Print Expo is just around the corner. We catch up with Michael Ryan, head of FESPA Global Print Expo, to find out why Sign Update readers should pay the expo a visit.
Q. Why should our readers visit FESPA and why will it benefit them?
Whether you want to build on new and existing relationships with like-minded printers and sign makers, explore industry trends such as sustainability and personalisation, or discover a range of products and solutions, don’t forget to add FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 to your agenda.
From May 6 to 9, FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience will provide a pivotal platform for collaboration, innovation and development and we’re inviting you to join us.
Q. The theme for FESPA this year is ‘Where Visionaries Meet’, can you explain what this means?
With a focus on our incredible FESPA community, from our visitors and exhibitors, to our Association Heads and Awards winners, ‘Where Visionaries Meet’ positions our visitors as futuristic and forward-thinking members of the print and signage communities.
FESPA is the ideal connection point for these Visionaries and enables them to gain a valuable insight into what the future holds for the industry. As delegates share their experiences and perspectives with leading brands and suppliers, industry experts and specialists, FESPA will showcase which transformative developments are shaping the future of the speciality print industry.
Q. Why did you choose Berlin as the host city? Why has it been three years since you returned?
With over 200 years of experience as an exhibition venue, the Messe Berlin, Germany will serve as an ideal venue for Visionaries to congregate at FESPA’s 2025 events. Many of our returning visitors are familiar with the host city and Berlin itself is well-known for its history, as well as its trusted connections and established speciality print market.
The FESPA community consists of different organisations across the globe and it’s important for us to accommodate them all. 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.
The latest technology and applications will be on display
Q. What do you think will be the highlights of this year’s exhibition?
From our comprehensive feature programme and strong exhibitor line up, to our expert-led discussions and the opportunity to witness technology launches first-hand, we’re confident that the 2025 events will provide highlights for everyone.
This year, our feature programme will comprise of World Wrap Masters and the FESPA Awards.
For World Wrap Masters: On the first two days of the event, visitors can watch regional competitors battle it out in a series of timed rounds, wrapping vehicles and other surprise objects, in hopes to progress to the all-important World Wrap Masters 2025 Final on days three and four. Alongside this, delegates can also attend a series of training workshops and live demos.
The FESPA Awards are back to once again celebrate excellence and creativity amongst the print and signage communities. The shortlisted entries will be on display throughout the event, with the official awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday, May 7.
Q. Are there any standout exhibitors that our readers should pay a visit?
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a range of products and solutions from leading brands and suppliers. Confirmed exhibitors to date include AGFA, Aristo, Brother, Canon, Caldera, Durst, EFI, Epson, Fujifilm, Kit Builder, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, Kornit Digital, Liyu, Mimaki, Ricoh and Roland.
Q. Do you know if there is any new equipment launching at this year’s exhibition that would be of interest to sign makers?
FESPA events are always a key launch platform for many of our exhibitors and over the years, we have witnessed some of the most pivotal launches in the print and signage industries.
At this stage, we are pleased to confirm that we already have over 50 confirmed launches across all of the events, including European Sign Expo – dedicated solely to the signage and visual communications industry. So, if you’re a sign maker in search of the latest technologies and solutions, we’re confident that there will be something for you.
Q. Are there any seminars or talks that our readers can attend to enhance their businesses?
To find out how you can grasp the value of personalisation and explore how to capitalise on this trend, visitors can attend a series of live discussions from a host of expert speakers who will share their own knowledge and experience.
Confirmed speakers to date include:
- Rolf Schloesser from Team Jansen ProServices, who will explain how he provides the mass customisation of labels for the German Beekeeper Association.
- Deborah Corn, who will share her views on the importance of meaningful marketing messaging once you have permission to enter a customer’s inbox.
- Holly O’Rouke from EFI, who will discuss how personalised packaging will improve brand engagement.
Q. How would you describe the sign making industry in the UK with all the talk around sustainability and cost efficiency?
Year on year, we’re seeing a significant increase in the demand for sustainable products and services – at our events and across the speciality print sector. Businesses are demonstrating commitments to becoming even more environmentally conscious by adhering to the needs of their consumers. This includes being aware that consumers are drawn to, and wish to support, brands and businesses that are implementing greener practices and solutions. Thankfully, to support this, technology in the sector is now created with features such as ‘reduced energy consumption’ and ‘reduced waste’ in mind.
Whether it’s investing in new technologies to support the streamlining of production times, or opting for sustainable material alternatives, signage companies are now making the active decision to reduce their environmental impact, as well as their operational costs.
FESPA co-locates with the European Sign Expo
Q. You are co-locating again with the European Sign Expo. What is it and how can it bring greater benefits to sign makers as a whole?
Dedicated solely to the signage and visual communication industries, European Sign Expo will showcase cutting edge innovations for markets including channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, LED and sign solutions.
Visitors to the event can explore the latest products and solutions, learn all about current and prospective industry trends, and network with signage experts from exhibiting companies, including Cosign, Domino Sign, EFKA, LucoLED and Sign-Ware & Co.
Q. Convergence within large printers is also becoming an ever-present thing with greater demands being placed on the equipment. What sort of emphasis, if any, would there be on this point at the show?
In recent years, particularly during and since the COVID pandemic, the increased demand for faster, more efficient and versatile printing solutions has become ever more apparent. With industries like packaging, textiles and commercial print showing growth, there became a greater need for printers that can handle multiple tasks in a single unit.
The latest printing technologies are enabling PSPs to offer faster turnaround times and more precise results. Increased demand for personalised and on-demand printing has further driven this shift. As a result, hardware manufacturers are creating and bringing to market printers that are multifunctional in order to meet PSPs’ diverse needs.
Q. Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Our ‘Youth Engagement’ initiative, taking place during the final day of the event, invites the younger audience to attend a show floor tour led by our sustainability expert and head of associations and technical lead, Graeme Richardson-Locke. He will give a presentation on careers in print and will also highlight the opportunities available with the FESPA UK Young Leaders programme.
I am thoroughly looking forward to welcoming our visitors back to the Messe Berlin, Germany for four days of networking and knowledge exchanging, decision-making and developing a vision for the future of the speciality print and signage industries.
