The FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, held from May 6-9 at Messe Berlin, solidified its position as Europe’s premier event for showcasing advancements in digital, textile, and wide-format printing. With over 550 exhibitors from 35+ countries, the expo highlighted cutting-edge innovations in hardware, emphasizing automation, sustainability, and versatile production capabilities. Here’s a summary of the key announcements and their technical and strategic significance.
Signage and Graphics Printing: Performance and Automation
The signage and graphics segment showcased printers designed for high productivity, quality, and flexibility.
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HP Latex R530 Printer:
Targeting hybrid printing needs, this eco-friendly device handles both rigid and flexible substrates up to 1.6 meters wide. Using 3-liter water-based latex inks, it prints at 24 square meters per hour (m²/h) in indoor mode. Its high-opacity white ink supports applications like retail décor, POP displays, and environmental graphics. The R530 balances quality, safety, and flexibility, making it ideal for diverse workflows. -
Agfa Jeti Bronco H3300 S:
This 3.3-meter hybrid UV LED inkjet printer caters to sign shops and digital printers seeking versatility and high-quality output. It supports rigid and flexible media, printing at speeds up to 248 m²/h with resolutions of 635 x 2,400 dpi. Features like continuous board feeding and dual-roll printing enhance productivity, while its UV LED curing ensures energy efficiency. -
Canon Arizona 2380 GTF:
Expanding Canon’s flatbed portfolio, this model excels in tactile printing and multi-layer output on diverse substrates. It uses VariaDot imaging technology and incorporates LED curing and a static table design for precise registration. Its applications range from packaging prototypes to ADA-compliant graphics, serving décor and promotional markets effectively. -
swissQprint Nyala 5:
The latest iteration of swissQprint’s flagship flatbed printer offers a 23% speed boost over its predecessor, printing up to 206 m²/h. Supporting up to 10 color channels (including neon and white), this energy-efficient system is tailored for high-end graphic production, emphasizing scalability and precision. - EFI VUTEk M3h:
This hybrid UV LED system accommodates substrates up to 3.2 meters wide and 50 millimeters thick, achieving resolutions of 2,400 dpi. Integrated with EFI’s Fiery platform, it provides advanced color management and real-time analytics, making it suitable for exhibition graphics, fleet branding, and other commercial applications.
Textile and Apparel: Industrial Adaptability and On-Demand Fulfillment
The textile printing segment showcased innovations driving industrial adaptability and on-demand production.
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Mimaki Tx330-1800:
This direct-to-textile and dye-sublimation printer offers media flexibility in a roll-to-roll configuration. Using interchangeable pigment and dye-sub inks, it caters to applications like fashion apparel, home décor, and soft signage, making it a versatile choice for multi-purpose production environments. -
Brother DTRX-series:
Brother’s entry into high-volume roll-to-roll apparel printing, this direct-to-film (DTF) system supports media up to 800 millimeters wide. It uses a CMYK plus dual-white inkset for vibrant transfers and features automated media handling and reliability-enhancing functions, ensuring continuous garment production with minimal intervention. -
Epson SureColor SC-F9500H:
Designed for high-volume textile production, this 64" dye-sublimation printer supports an expanded inkset of CMYK plus orange and violet, offering a 20% wider color gamut. Its PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead delivers 30% faster output, while features like hot-swappable ink packs and user-replaceable printheads minimize downtime. Ideal for sportswear and soft signage, it also supports fluorescent inks. - Kornit Apollo:
A revolutionary direct-to-garment (DTG) system, Apollo integrates robotics and AI-based quality management for fully automated, high-throughput apparel production. Capable of processing up to 400 garments per hour, it eliminates offline finishing through its unique curing process. Offered via Kornit’s All-Inclusive Click (AIC) subscription, Apollo reduces barriers to digital transformation in garment decoration.
Workflow and RIP Technology: Adobe PDF Print Engine 7
Adobe introduced PDF Print Engine 7 (APPE 7), a major update in digital prepress rendering technology. Its standout feature is in-RIP multicolor transparency blending, which allows expanded color gamut (ECG) jobs to be processed accurately without flattening, simplifying workflows and enhancing color precision. Additionally, Adobe previewed its AI-powered Print Services platform, which automates pre-RIP tasks like image upsampling and text recognition. Together, APPE 7 and Print Services form a more intelligent rendering pipeline, addressing the need for faster, error-resistant workflows. APPE 7 entered beta testing in April 2025, with general availability expected by August 2025 and production deployments by 2026.
Key Takeaways
FESPA 2025 underscored the industry’s shift toward smarter, more sustainable production ecosystems. The hardware innovations—spanning hybrid UV, flatbed, textile-dedicated roll-to-roll, and DTG systems—reflect a commitment to automation, scalability, and adaptability. These advancements enable print businesses to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market dominated by digital-first workflows and value-driven demands.
The expo also highlighted the growing role of AI and advanced RIP technologies in streamlining workflows and enhancing output quality. As analog methods continue to fade, the equipment showcased at FESPA 2025 sets a high standard for technical innovation, positioning the print industry for a dynamic future.
Looking Ahead: FESPA 2026
FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 will take place from May 19-22 in Barcelona, Spain, at the Fira de Barcelona, one of the world’s largest exhibition centers. The event promises to build on the momentum of 2025, continuing to drive innovation and shape the future of print.
By Johnny Shell
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