FuturePrint Podcast

• #273 Inkjet’s Next Gear: Pragmatism, Pace and Platforms — with Richard Darling, GIS

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Frazer Chesterman sits down with Richard Darling, Director of Sales and Marketing at Global Inkjet Systems (GIS), to explore where industrial inkjet technology really stands today — beyond the hype, beyond the headlines, and right at the heart of production.With over 25 years in inkjet, including senior roles at Xaar and Ricoh, Richard brings a unique, long-term view of how the sector has evolved. Together, they unpack the key themes from LabelExpo Barcelona — from the rise of new single-pass platforms and the growing accessibility of high-performance machines, to the increasingly global mix of engineering and innovation shaping our industry.They discuss why the label and packaging market feels more evolutionary than revolutionary, how cultural approaches to development differ across regions (Europe, China, Korea, India, the US), and why “speed to market” has become the new strategic advantage for converters and OEMs alike.Richard also reflects on what makes GIS tick: a company best known for being “under the bonnet,” providing the drive electronics, ink systems and software that help print systems actually work. He explains why packaging that cleverness into accessible, easy-to-use platforms is now central to the next stage of digital print’s maturity.The conversation covers everything from functional printing and EV applications to the realities of hybrid systems, localised manufacturing, and why another “ceramics moment” is unlikely — and unnecessary.If you’re in the business of industrial print, labels, or manufacturing innovation, this episode offers rare clarity on where the opportunities lie — and what will really matter as inkjet moves into its next gear.🎧 Listen now and discover why the future of inkjet isn’t just about speed — it’s about fit, flexibility, and systems that simply work.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 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

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• #272 Dantex & LabelExpo Barcelona: Where digital print technology shines through agility, trust, and timing

  Send us a textIn this episode, we reconnect with Richard Bunney, Group Managing Director at Dantex in a reflective and future focused discussion following their highly successful outing at LabelExpo Barcelona. Richard walks us through the strategic call to relaunch the PicoColour as a smart, lower-risk entry point into digital, alongside the proven performance of PicoJet. We dig into why digital print is drawing the biggest crowds, how converters and brand owners are collaborating on capital decisions, and what pressure points—agility, cost per label, sustainability—are driving that shift. You’ll hear how the team moved faster than a typical R&D cycle without sacrificing quality, and why a family-run, customer-first culture showed up not just in messaging, but in the stand’s design and energy.Dantex's booth at LabelExpo also proved that trade shows don’t have to feel like a maze of similar looking booths featuring machines and hard sells. Richard explained more about how a hospitality-first stand—open space, a warm welcome, real conversations—helped Dantex convert interest into action, including on-stand sales and a 60% jump in active leads compared with Brussels. This isn’t a brag reel; it’s a blueprint for designing experiences that buyers trust.We also look west and the dynamically growing US market. With a fast growing install base, a focused portfolio, and a strengthened sales and service footprint, Dantex’s U.S. subsidiary is turning proof into momentum. Expect a strong showing in Chicago for LOUPE Americas, with the compact, small-footprint platform moving from concept to commercial, and significant interest from Mexico and Brazil through regional partners. If you care about digital label printing, trade show strategy, or building trust in complex B2B sales, this conversation offers practical signals you can use.Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague who’s planning their next expo, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps us bring more insight to more listeners.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 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

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• #271 Labels, Packaging and the Next Wave of Digital Print: Insights from Keypoint Intelligence at Labelexpo Barcelona

  Send us a textIn this special edition of the FuturePrint Podcast, recorded just after a bustling week at Labelexpo in Barcelona, we sit down with three leading analysts from Keypoint Intelligence: Jeff Wettersten, Charles Lissenburg, and Marc Mascara. Together, they unpack the latest trends shaping the labels and packaging industry, drawing on insights from across the show floor.Jeff takes us on a journey through the evolution of Labelexpo, from the introduction of inkjet presses in 2008 to the latest Chinese technology making waves in 2025. He highlights three dominant themes: productivity, embellishment, and the shift from “low-volume” to managing real industrial volumes with digital presses.Marc brings a fresh perspective from the packaging and labels advisory service, spotlighting capacity utilisation and the next generation of younger product managers shaping the industry. He also points to hybrid printing and high-resolution 1200 dpi heads as areas gaining real momentum.Charles rounds off the discussion by reflecting on the overall atmosphere in Barcelona—improved venue, strong attendance, and an unmistakable sense of optimism despite recent market headwinds. He also stresses the growing importance of workflow software and data-driven productivity in enabling converters to scale profitably.The conversation also explores the rapid improvement of Chinese OEMs, the future of AI in workflows and customer service, and the risks and rationale behind the Labelexpo rebrand to LOUPE.This episode is a must-listen for converters, OEMs, and brand owners who want to understand where the labels and packaging industry is heading. Expect straight-talking analysis, insider observations, and a snapshot of how digital print is evolving into a mainstream production tool.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 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

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• #270 Digital Inkjet Print for Packaging & Labels: Opening Minds & Changing the Narrative

  Send us a textIn this special episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, recorded ahead of Labelexpo, Marcus Timson is joined by Dr. Simon Daplyn and Allan Bendall from Sun Chemical to explore a bold new campaign designed to showcase the true potential of digital inkjet in packaging and labels.Simon explains why Sun Chemical has shifted the conversation away from technical minutiae toward the bigger story: how inkjet can deliver real business value for converters and brands. From flexible workflows and SKU agility to connected packaging and data-driven engagement, digital print is positioned not as a replacement for analogue, but as a powerful complement that brings flexibility, efficiency, and new creative opportunities.Allan introduces Sun Chemical’s new “toolkit” of fully finished packaging samples—including labels, pouches, flow wraps, and cartons—developed in collaboration with OEM and supply-chain partners. Using vibrant fruit-themed designs and variable data, the samples demonstrate the versatility of inkjet: the ability to print high-quality packaging with virtually infinite variation, minimal waste, and a seamless path from concept to finished product.Together, Simon and Allan underline how Sun Chemical is enabling the industry to rethink print not just as a process, but as a platform for brand storytelling, consumer engagement, and sustainable production.If you’re heading to Labelexpo, don’t miss Sun Chemical at Hall 3, Stand D92 to see the campaign in action and experience the future of digital packaging first-hand.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 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

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• #269 Inside Nazdar’s OEM Inks – Chemistry, Collaboration, and the Future of Inkjet

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we welcome back Martin Burns, who represents the OEM inks division at Nazdar. While Nazdar is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading ink manufacturers, its OEM business plays a more behind-the-scenes but strategically vital role in shaping the future of industrial inkjet.Martin explains how the OEM group works closely with printer and printhead manufacturers, system integrators, and other partners across the inkjet ecosystem. Unlike the mainstream distribution side of the business, which follows a traditional product development cycle, the OEM division is about co-creation: embedding chemistry expertise into the earliest stages of hardware design. In many cases, Nazdar effectively becomes the “chemistry department” for its partners, providing direct access to R&D specialists and offering solutions that de-risk new product launches.The conversation highlights how agility and innovation underpin this approach. From ultra-high viscosity inks that unlock new industrial applications, to sustainability-driven solutions such as faster-drying water-based inks, Martin demonstrates how chemistry is enabling inkjet to enter new markets—from packaging and textiles to additive manufacturing and functional deposition.Looking ahead, Martin sees major opportunities in water-based packaging, functional coatings, and industrial manufacturing, where inkjet is increasingly valued not for decoration but for its ability to deposit precise fluids that make devices work.“We’re not just selling ink. In many cases, we’re acting as the chemistry department for our partners.” – Martin Burns, Nazdar OEM InksListen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 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

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