FuturePrint Podcast

Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Alexander Hinterkopf, Managing Director of Hinterkopf, one of the world’s leading suppliers of printing and forming technologies for cylindrical packaging.Founded in 1962 and based near Stuttgart, Hinterkopf has built its reputation at the intersection of printing and container manufacturing - supplying systems for aluminium tubes, plastic squeeze tubes, and monoblock aerosol containers used across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and consumer goods.In the conversation, Hinterkopf explains how a period of disruption following the 2008 financial crisis became the catalyst for the company’s move into digital inkjet. What began as an attempt to replace analogue offset printing evolved into something more powerful: digital post-decoration - printing finished containers on demand, at the very end of the manufacturing process.We explore why printing on the round is technically challenging, how Hinterkopf solved registration and precision issues, and why variable data and late-stage customisation are inherent strengths of digital inkjet in cylindrical packaging.The discussion also looks at who is driving adoption. Rather than large incumbents, early growth has come from entrepreneurial service providers and startups, particularly in the US, offering brands speed, flexibility, and short-run capability that traditional workflows cannot match.Sustainability is another key theme - not as marketing rhetoric, but as manufacturing efficiency. Reduced waste, elimination of labels, and support for monomaterial packaging all position digital post-decoration as a practical response to regulatory and environmental pressures.Finally, Hinterkopf shares his view on where the market is heading, and why digital inkjet is becoming a permanent, complementary force in industrial packaging.Alexander Hinterkopf will be speaking at FuturePrint Industrial Print, 21-22 January in Munich.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we explore an exciting new collaboration reshaping the future of industrial inkjet. Fabio Tallarico of Seiko Instruments GmbH and Jan Janhsen of Fraunhofer IPA join us to discuss how their organisations are working together to advance functional printing, high-viscosity jetting, and inkjet-based manufacturing.Following the closure of Seiko’s in-house lab, the company sought a new approach to R&D — one that could provide scientific depth, hands-on experimentation, and access to advanced facilities. Fraunhofer IPA, one of Europe’s leading applied research institutes, became the ideal partner.Together, the teams now collaborate on:waveform development and drop analysisprint testing across varied substrates and ink typesevaluating high-viscosity, conductive, UV, and water-based inksexploring jetting limits and application-specific performanceinvestigating new functional applications including adhesives, coatings, and 3D structuresFor Fraunhofer, the partnership ensures its research remains grounded in real industrial challenges. For Seiko, it broadens access to cutting-edge measurement tools, material expertise, and scientific knowledge — accelerating development of the next-generation RC2560 printhead.The conversation also highlights wider trends shaping industrial inkjet: the shift toward sustainable materials, increasing demand for functional layers, advances in additive manufacturing, and the future potential of AI in waveform optimisation and process control.This collaboration demonstrates how innovation grows faster when companies work together — sharing knowledge, testing boundaries, and combining scientific insight with practical engineering.A must-listen for anyone interested in industrial inkjet, functional printing, advanced manufacturing, or collaborative R&D.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

Send us a textIn this episode, Marcus Timson is joined by Nathan Safran, Vice President of Research at PRINTING United Alliance, for an in-depth exploration of the biggest forces reshaping the global print industry.Safran shares findings from the Alliance’s latest research—covering AI adoption, automation, convergence, economic signals, and where PSPs are creating new value.Key Themes Discussed:AI moves mainstream: 85% of PSPs now view AI as critical to competitiveness, with 83% saying it opens new business opportunities—not just productivity gains.Real-world AI applications: From generative design and marketing personalisation to advanced forecasting, quality inspection, and in-house software development, PSPs are adopting AI at a pace not seen before.The importance of data: AI success depends on clean, structured, reliable data. PSPs must put their “data house in order” to unlock higher-value use cases.Automation + AI: A powerful combination that is reshaping prepress, production, onboarding, and back-office functions across sales, finance, and operations.Convergence as a structural trend: Commercial into wide format, wide format into labels or packaging, and a broader shift toward multi-segment capability as buyers choose vendors who can do more.Growth opportunities for 2026: Strategic diversification, AI-led transformation, and offering adjacent digital services such as design, data management, and campaign execution.Safran emphasises that print companies are increasingly transforming into technology-enabled service providers, and that PSPs who embrace both data and AI will have significant competitive advantage.A fascinating, forward-looking conversation packed with insight for anyone in print, manufacturing, or related markets.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, host Frazer Chesterman speaks with Victor Perraudin, Research and Development Engineer at Ardeje Printing, a specialist developer of industrial drop-on-demand inkjet systems.Founded in 1997, Ardeje Printing has grown alongside the digital printing revolution, focusing not on graphics but on bespoke industrial inkjet solutions where print performs a functional role. Perraudin explains how Ardeje works at the intersection of materials science, fluid dynamics and system integration, supporting customers with applications that go far beyond flat substrates and conventional inks.The conversation explores Ardeje’s Origin D100 R&D platform, designed to bridge the gap between laboratory experimentation and production deployment. Using this system, Ardeje supports applications ranging from silver inks for printed electronics, antennas and conductive tracks, to carbon nanotube sensors, quantum dot deposition and sol-gel printing.Perraudin discusses growing interest from sectors such as photovoltaics, batteries, EV technologies, medical devices and construction, where inkjet is increasingly seen as a precise, low-waste method for functional material deposition. He also highlights the challenges shaping the next phase of industrial inkjet, including printing on complex 3D geometries, REACH-driven reformulation of UV inks, and demand for high-viscosity, non-conventional fluids.Looking ahead, Perraudin outlines a future where drop-on-demand inkjet evolves from decoration to integrated functional manufacturing, supported by smarter data-driven processes and deeper collaboration across the inkjet ecosystem.Ardeje will be presenting at FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich, where functional inkjet applications will be firmly in the spotlight.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

Send us a textIn this episode we dive into one of the most significant – yet often misunderstood – transformations underway in global retail and packaging: the shift from traditional barcodes to next-generation QR codes powered by GS1. Our guest, Camilla Young, leads this programme for GS1 UK and has rapidly become one of the most compelling voices in the space.With a commercial background spanning major CPG brands such as Pernod Ricard, BIC, Hasbro and Johnson & Johnson, Camilla brings a rare blend of brand insight, consumer understanding, and technical clarity to a topic that is reshaping how products are made, sold, tracked, understood, and recycled.We explore:What GS1 actually does and why global standards underpin the entire retail and supply chain ecosystem.The forces driving change: consumer expectations, sustainability pressure, EU regulations, digital shopping, and AI.The difference between ordinary QR codes and GS1 Digital Link QR codes – and why next-generation barcodes can now scan at POS.The vast potential for connected packaging, from traceability and recalls to accessibility, authentication, and first-party consumer engagement.Why printers, converters, and packaging suppliers have a critical role in ensuring print quality, verification, and correct implementation.How this shift will enable digital product passports, carbon transparency, circularity, and smarter supply chains.Camilla shares clear, practical explanations that demystify what is coming – and why the print and packaging sector should be fully informed and preparing now.For more information: GS1 UK – gs1uk.org Global GS1 – gs1.orgFollow Camilla on LinkedIn for updates, case studies, and live examples of next-generation barcodes being deployed around the world.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany