April 2026
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The P5 350 CORE, a 3.5 m hybrid digital printing platform, is your entry into the integrated Durst system. Engineered in Europe. Made in Durst. Built for your business.
The high performance Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer delivers outstanding print quality at leading Auckland-based print company.
In October 2013, Mesh founder Steve Fowler and Andrew Crawford saw “an opportunity for a startup business that specialised in fabric printing”.
Andrew, now owner and soon to be director of Mesh Graphics (formerly Mesh Print Auckland), says, “Steve already had the digital shop and the
signage shop in Wellington. The concept of creating a fabric printing shop was something that needed a lot of work, but we could see that it could grow into a decent sized business.”
Having established a strong reputation from running several successful printing operations, Andrew says, “I was ready for a new challenge. As we progressed,
with a small team, we started to build a nice fabric printing business, and it grew from there.”
In 2018, Andrew moved the Mesh operation to Avondale, West Auckland. He says, “We employed more staff and bought more machines. We were going along well, growing organically year on year and then Covid arrived.
“Covid slowed the whole growth process but after Covid, the market changed for the better. Fabric came more to people’s attention. Customers could see fabric’s advantages in terms of ease of use and installation as well its more sustainable profile. They could see the environmental benefits.
“Since then, we have continued to grow, adding more machinery and we have added to our offering as well.”
Durst delivers seamless production
Just over a year ago, Mesh Graphics installed its first Durst solution: the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer.
Andrew says, “We had some nice fabric gear, but it was starting to get a bit tired, and we had reached the end of where we could go with that. In 2024, we looked around for solutions, travelling to the USA but we came away feeling a bit disappointed with what we saw.
“We already knew the people at Durst Oceania. We met with them and they told me what they were planning. They made a compelling case to join the Durst family.
“We see the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer as a Rolls Royce machine; out of Mesh’s league to be honest. The capacity that it has is just phenomenal. We now have the ability to do seamless graphics at three and a half metres wide. Seamless graphics is really massive for what we do. We can make graphics three metres tall with no joins; we can make 100 metre drops.
“We have had the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer in operation for 12 months and we have not a negative word to say about it.
“This machine is reliable and the print quality is exceptional. The ease of use is excellent, and the Durst workflow platform is so simple to use and helps us to run our operation smoothly. And having Durst so close and on the ground means so much.
“It is impressive that this European company pours huge amounts of money into research and development to keep developing and improving its technology.
“The platform we have purchased is upgradeable. We can double its capacity, so it is not a short term investment.
We can run this gear for more than 10 years and still remain at the forefront of the fabric sector in New Zealand.
“We are very happy Durst’lers, as they say. It has been very beneficial for our business.
“The Durst print quality is second to none and this particular platform is outstanding. Feedback from our clients about the print quality has been overwhelmingly positive with praise for everything from the greyscale to the high reds and the blacks. I have been around for a long time, and it still wows me. It is everything they said it would be and more.”
A real partnership with Durst
Andrew is still impressed with the attitude the Durst team has toward building a solid and long term relationship with Mesh Graphics. He says, “With Durst, it is a real partnership. I am working with Graham Blackall and Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman on other projects in the background. With Durst it is definitely not a case of, ‘I will sell you something, then take the money and run’.
“Partnering with Matt has been wonderful. He comes with ideas to help this business.
“One of our prerequisites was the need for support on the ground. Durst secured the services of the person we think is the best engineer in New Zealand, Justin Dunne (JD) as the Durst Oceania Field Service Technician. He has been wonderful, not that the machine has needed much maintenance; it just goes and goes.
“Salesmen will sell you anything and you take what they say with a grain of salt. But in this case, it is real. The Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer is the best machine I have come across.
“It is important to invest in technology. The demands print businesses have are huge and having the print quality of the Durst platform is particularly significant for us.”
The Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dyesublimation printer brings several benefits to Mesh Graphics. Andrew says, “The fabric sector in New Zealand is still small. We like to think we are leading the way in a lot of areas. We want to give our clients the best products and the best results. This means spending the money on the right gear.
“Fabric is recyclable. All our fabrics now comprise a minimum of 50 per cent
recycled base. All our ink is OEKO-TEX Eco Passport certified as well. As more fabric mills come online, it gives us more solutions and more products we can sell to our clients.
“We supply everything from movie sets, exhibitions, and outdoor events. We offer other dye-sub solutions, and we still have traditional print solutions. Having a broad range of print options is great for our clients, but our main focus is fabric.
“Increasingly, we find clients want to see value add, and that is one of the things we can deliver on. The biggest benefit that fabric gives is freight costs. For any business, freight is a killer. Shipping pallets and oversized sheets around the country does not compare with placing fabric into a bag. With fabric signage, freight costs are significantly less that other substrates.
“The dye sublimation process means all the images the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub prints are within the fabric, not on the fabric. So those images are more hard wearing, more durable. The concept for the dye sublimation process has existed for a long time but now, the continuation of the concept sees us printing direct to the fabric and we have IR inline fixations to achieve it.
“The quality of the Durst is as good as transfer and the small text it delivers is excellent. It doesn’t bleed either.
“Another feature with the Durst Durst P5 350 TEX iSub is that it is IR heated, so there is no uptime and no downtime. When you finish at the end of the day, you just go ‘Daily Shutdown’, and that’s it. You don’t have to cool the heaters down; the machine does it all. The guys can fire up in the morning and away they go. It also means we don’t have to run all day; we can fire it up when we need to.”
Hasler cutting heads to Mesh
Mesh Graphics handles all its finishing. Andrew says, “From the finishing point of view, the work has become more challenging. We have developed the capabilities needed to handle the cutting and sewing.
“I have bought another Durst machine: the Durst Hasler 3.2m by 3.2m cutting system. This will arrive later this year and it will help us to streamline the process even more. It will give us far greater accuracy than what we can achieve with scissors. We are excited to add the Hasler cutter to our offering and that is again a demonstration of how well Durst does this; they turned up with the right solution.”
After more than 30 years in the industry, Andrew believes print is not going anywhere soon. He says, “I think we will continue to see consolidation continue over the next few years. The evolution of robotic and automated systems is inevitable, no doubt with a combination of automation and human input. There is a human element to printing. Deadlines will continue to become shorter as well.
“Print will always be here; I don’t think anyone will ever be able to replace print with digital. Print and digital complement each other. Digital is good in some spaces and it is terrible in others.
“These days, clients, agencies, and their clients demand unrealistic time frames, having moved from three to five days to one to two days. So, automating process is imperative.
“With the deadlines becoming more and more difficult, we need accuracy with the artwork. Unfortunately, some people try to cut corners, especially with AI artwork and it is not there yet. So, we still rely on the input to be accurate.
“In today’s modern businesses, we need to be agile and flexible to survive. If you don’t have agility, you can’t turn quickly and we can turn on a dime when something needs to change. We are there for our clients’ urgent requirements.
“The market is growing for fabrics, not just for informational print but also for solid background colours. Print has changed. It is not just about information and directive. We are using a lot of print for colour backgrounds and using a lot of three dimensional things on top of those backgrounds. This gives our clients a bigger scope to design and develop their concepts. Now, we have the confidence to produce their concepts to the level they need.
“Obviously, we need to have the best quality substrates to go with the inks and the machine.
“Quality is one part of it, but pace is the real key. These clients just don’t have the lead in times they used to have. The Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer gives that to us. From a print perspective, there is no wastage. We can load up a 100 metre roll and feel confident that the entire 100 metres is perfect.
“Also, when someone asks for a special Pantone colour, we can do it. In addition, we can do just 50 metres, whereas a dye house has to do 50,000 metres.
“Durst has sold over a hundred Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printers globally. That shows just how good this product is and to have one of these in New Zealand gives us real confidence for the future. I have to say how lucky I feel to be part of the Durst family.”
He concludes, “We feel really excited and happy to have the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer and we look forward to the second one arriving soon, and maybe even a third.”
Scan this QR code to see Christoph Gamper explain the Durst Hasler integration
Scan this QR code to learn more about the Hasler MAGNA cutting system
Scan this QR code to see Matt Ashman and Marc Hasler discuss Hasler cutting solutions
Scan this QR code to see the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub in action at Mesh Graphics
The Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dyesublimation printer has won awards in Europe (EDP Awards) and the USA (PU Pinnacle Awards).
The EDP jury said: “The P5 Tex iSub is the best roll to roll textile printing system with an integrated inline finishing unit. The abbreviation iSUB stands for ‘inline sublimation’, suitable for direct printing, which eliminates the process of offline calendaring, resulting in a significant increase in quality and efficiency”.
The Pinnacle judges said the printer “will transform dye sublimation printing and that it has upended traditional thinking about dye sublimation printing by introducing a technology that both improves efficiency and lowers costs”.
Offering a range of innovative features, from its one-step direct to fabrics printing process of up to 337cm
printing width to its drying system combined with IR and heated plates that enable transfer paper printing, the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer is changing the way we look at fabric printing.
The printer’s contactless, inline heating/ fixation completely eliminates the need for an external calender or heat press, which makes dye-sublimation a highly efficient process that a single operator can easily manage.
Earlier this year, Durst Group acquired a majority stake in cutting systems manufacturer Hasler Solutions, which produces its machines in Spain with up to 90 per cent of components from Germany. The company has operated for 17 years and has manufactured its own machines since 2019.
Founder Marc Hasler has extensive experience in the cutting machines
industry after eight years working at Zünd in Switzerland and nine years with Bullmer in Germany. Significantly, Marc Hasler has remained as co-owner and the driving force behind the business. Christoph Gamper, Co-owner and chief executive officer of Durst, said, “Hasler Solutions remains independent and open to all customers. That is non-negotiable. At the same time, together we will take print and cut to an
Durst’s inline sublimation (iSub) technology saves substantial production time and cuts overall energy consumption by up to 60 per cent compared to traditional two-step external heat-press methods. It also ensures even temperature distribution across the entire width of the printer, preventing ink bleed and ghosting, resulting in exceptionally sharp, high quality images and text, even on fabrics like flag material, soft knits, and black-back materials. It uses water-based, odourless Sublifix inks that have Eco Passport certification from OEKO-TEX.
The printer’s zoned vacuum print plates make it easy for the operator to switch between direct to fabric printing and transfer paper. It also features multi-roll and dual-roll capabilities (running simultaneous 1.6 metre rolls) to boost throughput.
The iSub system’s ability to directly fuse the dye into the polyester means operators can fold the graphics for shipping immediately after printing, reducing logistics and transport cost, as well as slicing turnaround times. Its integrated features of multi-roll and dual roll printing make the Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer versatile and suitable for numerous soft signage and fabrics applications.
industrial level that the market expects and deserves, scalable, robust, and uncompromising in quality.”
Mesh Graphics has ordered the region’s first Hasler cutting system, the MAGNA 3200. This 3.2m cutting machine offers a raft of innovative features for sign making, packaging, textiles, or printing. From general finishing to die-less cutting and customisation, it delivers precision cutting on roll to roll and flatbed. Keyfeatures include:
• High speed performance: offering cutting speeds of up to 120 metres per minute.
• Versatile tooling: includes drag knife, electric oscillating tool, electric driven rotary tool, creasing tool, V-Cut tool, kiss-cut tool, pen, router, and ultra-sonic tools.
• Heavy-duty vacuum: a robust 7.5kW vacuum pump holds materials securely and flat during high-speed routing and cutting.
• Workflow: integrates with optional continuous material transport (conveyor belts) and automatic unwinders for uninterrupted roll to roll and sheet processing.
3-6 Auckland-based Mesh Graphics has installed the high performance Durst P5 350 TEX iSub dye-sublimation printer, which delivers outstanding print quality at production speeds.
PrintNZ p10-14
10 Comment: Ruth Cobb answers the existential question: Why do we do what we do?
12-14 Helping Hand: Iain MacIntyre meets the industry’s Top Five Apprentices, an outstanding group of individuals.
16 Konica Minolta: Pumphouse Print’s Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230 has delivered a massive boost to its label production.
18 Sustainability: A new trial in the coromandel will make soft plastic recycling faster and easier.
20-21 Canon: New webfed inkjet printers from Canon offer high efficiency for transactional applications, direct mail, and book production.
22 Currie Group: New brands and an expanded portfolio will help Currie Group customers improve productivity and unlock new revenue streams.
24 Durst Group: The company’s new technology hub will further strengthen Durst Group’s production and innovation capabilities.
26-33 Fespa: The largest Fespa colocated event offering to date saw a global audience with a strong appetite to explore and invest in the latest technology and wide format solutions.
34-36 Aarque Group: At Fespa Aarque Group worked with five leading brands to reveal the technologies shaping wide format’s future.
38 Fespa photographs: We caught up with some of the Kiwis who made it to the show in Barcelona.
40-41 Make It Happen: Michelle Henry shares her insights to help you avoid The Target Trap with your business team.
EDITORIAL: 021 631 559
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CONTRIBUTORS:
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and cannot
COLOR-LOGIC has received the Gold Award for Best Use of Metallized Foil Substrates at the 2026 Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) Print Embellishment Conference.
Mark Geeves, director of sales and marketing at Color-Logic, says, “This prestigious award recognises the innovative Color-Logic approach to print enhancement, particularly utilising white ink and toner technologies on metallic substrates. This software solution eliminates the need for graphic designers or prepress personnel to manually create white ink masks.”
KODAK has reported its financial results for the first quarter 2026.
Jim Continenza, executive chairman and chief executive officer at Kodak, says, “In the first quarter, Kodak achieved year over year improvement in key metrics, including revenue, gross profit and operational ebitda. “We have delivered three consecutive quarters of strong performance, despite a highly volatile and challenging business environment. Our success is no accident. It reflects several years of investing in innovation and infrastructure and focusing on operational excellence.”
MCC has successfully completed its financial restructuring process and emergence from its prepackaged Chapter 11 process.
Hassan Rmaile, president of MCC, said, “This marks a significant milestone for MCC, as well as our customers, teammates, and partners who have supported us throughout this process. Over the last several months, we continued to diligently serve and win clients as well as sharpening our operations. We enter this next chapter focused on driving profitable growth, ramping operational excellence, and investing in our people and culture.”
Industry training organisation Competenz has appointed Ruth Cooper as executive director. Ruth brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across tertiary and vocational education in New Zealand and Australia.
She will lead Competenz through its next chapter, working alongside industry, learners and staff to continue delivering high quality workbased learning that responds to the changing needs of employers and New Zealand’s future workforce.
Most recently, she led Workforce Development, Strategic Partnerships, Work Integrated Learning and Alumni Engagement for Strategic Education Inc across New Zealand and Australia, overseeing five vocational and
Agfa and Hybrid Software have announced a collaboration for folding carton converters to transition to fully digital production workflows.
higher education institutions. She has also recently completed a contract as engagement lead on the government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan at Education New Zealand.
Her previous leadership roles include chief executive of Yoobee School of Design and deputy chair of Quality Tertiary Institutions, Ngā Wānanga Kounga. Competenz says that, throughout her
The companies say integrating Hybrid Software’s advanced packaging design, prepress, and smart digital front end workflow software with Agfa’s digital printing solutions, enables converters to efficiently produce folding cartons with changing graphics, text, languages, or artwork from carton to carton. Agfa and Hybrid Software say they provide an agile and scalable digital production environment while maintaining the high quality and consistency required for packaging applications.
Agfa adds that its SpeedSet Orca digital folding carton
career, Ruth has built a strong reputation for strategic leadership, organisational transformation and forging partnerships that create meaningful educational opportunities.
It adds that she brings a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori, Tikanga and Iwi relationships, reflected in the partnerships she has developed to support education and training outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and underserved learners across Aotearoa.
Ruth says, “Competenz has an incredible foundation built over 30 years and a deep connection to the industries it serves. My focus is on building on those strengths while ensuring we remain agile, responsive and forward looking.
“I want our people to feel valued, our learners to achieve outcomes that change their lives, and our industries to feel proud to own Competenz. Getting that balance right is what success looks like.”
Ruth is based in the Auckland office.
press brings the advantages of digital production, including rapid job changeovers and reduced waste, into high volume folding carton environments. The printer combines digital primer, advanced water-based inks, and inline varnish.
Integrating SmartDFE from Hybrid Software’s OEM business, Helix, enables complex inline variable data printing. Hybrid Software says SmartDFE uses patented AI software to optimise system configuration in real time, resulting in faster, more efficient production, even for highly versioned jobs.
Heidelberg has announced plans to integrate the lifecycle business and the global sales and service subsidiaries of the manroland sheetfed group.
The agreement sees Heidelberg acquiring manroland sheetfed’s service and spare parts business through approximately 35 country organisations with about 600 employees. In addition, Heidelberg is acquiring the technology and intellectual property related to service and spare parts, as well as selected assets.
Jürgen Otto, chief executive officer of Heidelberg, says, “With this transaction, we are ensuring that the acquired manroland business can continue to operate reliably.
“The combination of manroland sheetfed’s service and spare parts business and its sales subsidiaries with Heidelberg strengthens our global role as a systems integrator and enables us to seamlessly ensure the supply of
Registration has opened for LOUPE Americas 2026, formerly Labelexpo Americas. The event will take place in Chicago from September 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre, Rosemont.
Hosting over 400 exhibitors, the event will also provide education, networking and technology showcases. It will focus on labels but promises an expanded scope
manroland users worldwide. Together with our strong service and logistics network, we offer our customers a global range of service and spare parts.”
Anthony Langley, board chair and chief executive of manroland sheetfed owner Langley Holdings, add, “The agreement with Heidelberg ensures continuity in service and spare parts supply while integrating the business into a global organization that has the necessary scale and infrastructure to support manroland users over the long term.”
Heidelberg says the integration significantly strengthens its international structures, expands its sales and service network, and ensures continuity for well over 3,000 manroland users worldwide. It adds that it sees direct customer access expanding with a solid foundation laid for further business growth. As part of the transaction, Heidelberg will also secure the intellectual property for the Roland 900 Cartonmaster in the large format sheetfed offset segment. The company is currently evaluating options for the production and further development of this system.
into mid-web flexible packaging, namely shrink sleeves and pouches, and inline carton converting. The event’s theme, ‘Explore Hidden Depths’, captures the experience of exploring these innovations. The show will encourage visitors to navigate its spaces as if moving through an underwater world, uncovering new technologies and immersing themselves in the evolving landscape of label and package printing.
Tasha Ventimiglia, group director of LOUPE Americas, says, “LOUPE Americas, formerly Labelexpo Americas, marks a significant step forward as
By combining the customer bases, Heidelberg gains direct access to print shops with manroland sheetfed presses and assists them in continuing to operate their systems. It adds that manroland customers also gain access to technology, standardised service processes, and a consistent level of support worldwide in over 170 countries. For customers considering a technology change, Heidelberg also offers the option to upgrade to the latest Speedmaster systems.
Dr. David Schmedding, executive board member for Technology and Sales at Heidelberg, says, “This integration is the next logical step in implementing our strategy in our core business. With the acquisition of the global service and spare parts business for manroland presses, we are offering print shops a seamless transition in the operation of their systems.
“Customers benefit from a significantly more comprehensive range of services, a reliable supply of spare parts, and innovative solutions from a single source. This creates sustainable added value for our customers worldwide.”
the label industry continues to evolve. Attendees can look forward to enhanced networking opportunities and a refreshed education programme designed to deliver meaningful, market-relevant insights.”
The show will have two types of ticket passes. An expo pass will include access to the exhibit floor and all show floor activities across all three days of the event. An education pass will guarantee unlimited access to the exhibit floor and all show floor activities for all three days of the event plus entry to the two-day conference, keynotes and workshops.
Awards Night, Auckland, Tuesday, October 13
Our PrintNZ team’s philosophy stems from a genuine commitment to the success of our members and to the success of the industry we represent.
Every so often, it is worth pausing to ask a quite simple question: why do we do what we do? For an association, the answer is straightforward: we exist for our members. Without them, we are nothing. literally.
Our purpose, our priorities, the work we do, and our voice all begin and end with the people and businesses who choose to belong. That is why everything we undertake, and every new service we develop, is viewed through a member lens.
Membership organisations rely on relationships built on value, trust and usefulness. It is not an entitlement we can sit back and count on. We understand that the quality of our service directly influences the confidence our members place in us. When an invoice for membership arrives, we want there to be no hesitation about paying it because the value is clear, practical and worthwhile.
Our PrintNZ team’s philosophy stems from a genuine commitment to the success of our members and to the success of the industry we represent.
We know our members operate in a competitive sector and, at times, in a challenging economic and business environment. Pressures change, margins tighten, expectations rise and the pace of change rarely slows. In that context, our role has to be more than simply providing services from a
Feeling proud about Pride In Print; your success is one of the reasons why the PrintNZ team does what it does
distance. We aim to be an extension of their teams when they need support, guidance or a stronger collective voice.
That requires us to know our members well and to listen carefully. Every member is different. Some need help navigating regulation or compliance, some value networking and industry intelligence, while others simply want to know that someone understands the pressures they face day to day.
We build our approach around understanding those specific needs and developing mutual respect, so we can deliver the support our members need.
Strong relationships sit at the centre of that approach. Regular engagement with members is not a box-ticking exercise; it is how we stay connected to what is really happening in the industry. It helps us respond to challenges, identify opportunities and shape services that make a meaningful difference. Whether we are advocating on behalf of members, sharing information, developing resources or creating forums for connection, the purpose is the same: to help members operate with greater confidence.
It is easy for associations to become busy with activity and lose sight of impact. That’s not us; activity only matters if it produces outcomes our members can recognise. The true measure of our work is not how many meetings we attend,
documents we produce or initiatives we launch, it is whether our members get benefit from those things.
New services are not developed simply because they are fashionable or because other organisations are doing them, they must answer a real need. While sometimes the members don’t know what they need, if a service doesn’t support members in a tangible way, then we need to ask whether it deserves our time and resources.
At its best, an association provides something individual businesses cannot always achieve alone: a collective voice, shared knowledge, trusted relationships, and a sense of common purpose.
We can bring people together, raise the issues that matter, advocate for sensible outcomes and help the industry move forward with confidence. But we can only do that well when those things relate to the needs and experiences of our members.
But the real “why” of why we do it hits me when I get to stand on stage at the Pride In Print Awards and look out at our industry celebrating the amazing work and amazing people that we are all part of and feel like I am bursting with pride.
Your success is our success. Let’s keep doing it together – that is why we are here.
Ruth Cobb
Apprentices show exceptional skill and dedication.
PrintNZ has confirmed the five apprentices who will contest this year’s BJ Ball Print Apprentice of the Year.
Ruth Cobb, chief executive officer of PrintNZ, says, “Everyone is so impressed with the exceptional level of skill, dedication and hard work the apprentices and their support people have put into their training.
“These exceptional and talented individuals have taken the first step on what could become a life-long career in print, an industry that continues to evolve, innovate and create opportunities for those willing to learn and grow.
“Their achievements reflect not only their personal commitment, but also the support of the businesses and trainers who have invested time and knowledge into developing the next generation of industry talent. In an industry where practical skills, technical expertise and
creativity remain essential, apprentices play a critical role in securing the future of print.
“The calibre of this year’s Top Five Apprentices demonstrates that the future of our industry is in capable hands. We congratulate each of them on their success so far and know that it is going to be a tough job narrowing it down to just one when we announce the BJ Ball Print Apprentice of the Year.”
The Top Five and their sector awards are:
• Dry Offset Printing – Rebecca Tipene of Visy Rigid Packaging, Auckland
• Label Printing – Travers Dobson of Leading Label Company, Christchurch
• Packaging – Kai Devereux of Pakworld Christchurch
• Reelfed Printing – Kapareira Hannon of Accolade Packaging, Auckland
• Sheetfed Printing – Don Moonjely of Opal Packaging, Christchurch
Rebecca Tipene
Grant Alsop, Competenz trainer, describes Rebecca Tipene as enthusiastic and hardworking throughout her apprenticeship. Grant says, “Rebecca always completed her assignments on time and presented her work to a high standard.
“She put a lot of effort into researching each unit and was proud of what she achieved. Her commitment to doing quality work really stood out. Her manager consistently spoke very highly of her. Rebecca is well deserving of recognition as a top apprentice in her field.”
Tokorua Hawe, packaging team leader at Visy Rigid Packaging team, says Rebecca performed quickly after joining the business, initially as a palletiser operator in the mid-2000s. Tokorua says, “Rebecca has recently returned to the team after spending time in Australia supporting her family.
“Currently, she is working with us as a decorator operator where she continues to build on her skills and contribute effectively to the team.
“Rebecca is a great example of the value apprenticeships bring. Investing in training not only develops individual capability but strengthens the overall team.
“She has shown that with the right attitude and support, apprentices can grow into reliable and skilled operators who add real value to the businesses.”
Rebecca says, “I feel so honoured and I am humbled to be among other great printers around New Zealand. Definitely a huge gratitude to team members and management for this opportunity – for offering me the apprenticeship.
“I also want to thank my training advisor Grant Alsop for his encouragement, support and for pushing me. “I am grateful that I passed and I can give back. I am currently doing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering, which will lead me into other opportunities within the company.”
Travers Dobson
Steven Jack, Competenz trainer, says, “Travers put the mahi in and has reaped the rewards. Being a busy young man with an ever-growing young family did not stop Travers getting through – always on time and always producing good work.
“Travers is a credit to himself and Leading Label, he has a great future in the industry.”
Bryce Coulbeck, managing director at Leading Label Company, says, “Travers did not know anything about printing or labels when he joined us in 2022. As part of the job application, he came down to Christchurch and spent the day in the factory to see if he thought it was something he would like and be interested in, and obviously it was an opportunity for us to see if we thought he had what it would take.
“About 12 months ago we needed a new HP Indigo operator, and Travers put his hand up. It did not take him long to master the digital aspect of printing, which was no surprise.
“Travers has displayed his commitment to completing his apprenticeship. He often pushed me to help him complete modules or sign-offs required. He was also quite happy to complete modules at home in his own time as required when work time didn’t allow this capacity due to production commitments.”
Travers says, “This further validates that I have found my place. The best part of the apprenticeship was having a clear goal to work towards. It gives you a big incentive to keep learning.
“The biggest challenge was the juggle of it all. My wife and I have two young children, aged three and one, so finding
the time to sit down and complete the bookwork after work and home life was a challenge.
“My advisor, Steven Jack, was incredibly supportive of my situation. He helped me set up small goals, focusing on one unit at a time rather than feeling overwhelmed by seeing all the work ahead.”
Kai Devereux
Steven Jack says, “Kai was open to learning throughout his apprenticeship. He always thought about his work and worked it out well, and he was never afraid to ask the questions.
“Kai has become a valued member of the team, and it has been a pleasure seeing him grow throughout his apprenticeship. He is a great example of putting the effort in to gain an industry qualification which will set him up for a bright future ahead.”
Chris Inglis, production manager at Pakworld Christchurch, “Kai had no prior experience in printing or packaging before joining us in 2022. He has shown ability and commitment all the way from day one.
“I feel that his paperwork doesn’t actually reflect his skill level; he is a really good operator, and he can readily jump between machines.
“Kai is also a great person. He works well with others and always thinks about the next stage: how to make things easier for
others. He is a quick learner and likes a good challenge.
“Giving opportunities to young fellas like this is fantastic for me and the company. We support apprentice training and we support up and comers. We see this as a valuable way that we help to keep the industry moving forward.”
Kai says, “I am just here to do my job. I started off as a helping hand doing the odd jobs, but as I progressed, I have got to learn new things which have often been quite hard.
“I do quite a complex job now and there are aspects that I had no knowledge of previously, so I had to rewire my brain, I guess. There have definitely been some challenges.
“Everyone has a main role here, but there are other jobs you can help out with if need be. Everyone here has a good mentality of helping everyone out.”
Grant Alsop, says, “Kapareira picked things up quickly and stayed focused during the four years of his apprenticeship. He always strives to produce the best work he can.
Kapareira worked hard to have his assignments ready for each quarterly visit, showing strong commitment and good organisation. He took pride in his work and consistently provided goodquality evidence for every assignment.
“He is now helping to train the new apprentice and is worthy of being recognised as a top apprentice in reelfed printing.”
Tony Antonio, operations manager at Accolade Packaging, says, “Kapareira has developed into a key and critical member of our organisation.
“We knew he had the potential to excel, and it is rewarding to see it both personally and professionally. He is more open now, because he knows what he is talking about, having done the apprenticeship. He is now asking me more questions. “And going through his books, it was like, ‘Man, this guy has got it’. His presentations were really good.”
“He helps out the nightshift and he doesn’t complain; he just gets on with the work. Only when he does run into problems will he come to me, but he does his own trouble shooting first.
“Kapareira has done well and we feel really proud of him.”
Kapareira says, “I am extremely grateful to a number of people who introduced and helped shape my view of the print industry. My support system is beyond proud.
“My apprenticeship gave me a foundation to stand on which opens a world of opportunities in the industry. I really enjoyed learning the fundamentals of print but also how to apply it practically and to a high standard I could be proud of.
“The most rewarding aspect about my work is being a part of a process that takes conceptual art and turns it into a physical product that you can touch, feel and appreciate. I have always enjoyed being a part of something creative and being a key part of that production process is rewarding.”
Steven Jack calls Don Moonjely the quiet achiever. Steven says, “Don put the work in and got the results. He was always on time and always wanted more.
“Although juggling a young family and work, he never missed a deadline, and his work and supporting evidence provided were outstanding. He is a great example to his peers and fellow apprentices on what you should do: take it by the hands and run with it. A bright future in the print industry lies ahead.”
Matthew Moore, process engineering and continuous improvement lead at Opal Packaging, says, “This achievement comes as no surprise to us. If I could have ten more Dons, I would.
“Don joined Opal in January 2022 as a machine assistant during our busy season and quickly proved himself to be a competent, hard-working individual who could soon assist teams across multiple different machines.
“During the apprenticeship, Don was always popping in to see me or health and safety or the design team with wellpointed questions about what he was currently working on. He always sought out the information that he needed.
“Quite often the only thing holding him back was prioritising enough time to answer everything in the level of detail that he wanted.”
Don says, “The Top Five recognition is a boost to my confidence, pushing me to work even harder and keep my edge.
“During my apprenticeship, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to acquire new skills and apply what I was learning in practical, real-world situations. I especially valued the hands-on experience and the chance to work alongside experienced professionals.
“One of the most challenging aspects was managing my time effectively, especially since I set a goal to complete the apprenticeship in half the expected duration. This pushed me to stay highly organised and focused, overcoming this challenge not only helped me finish on time but also contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.”
Build your brand’s exposure and prestige as a Sponsor of the New Zealand Printing & Packaging Forum AND the People In Print Awards + Rising Stars Of Print Awards
This full day of events in Auckland on October 13, 2026, is proudly presented by New Zealand Printer magazine in partnership with PrintNZ as part of Australia & New Zealand Printing & Packaging Week 2026
GOLD | NZ$5995
• NZP print or digital advertising to the value of $6000
• 6 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon/early evening, value $1194
• One-on-one interview on stage during the Forum
• Presentation of a case study at the Forum
• Participation in on-stage panel discussion at the Forum
• Circulation of marketing material at the Forum
• Video up to 90 seconds broadcast to Forum guests
• Inclusion of logo and identification as a Gold sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening
• NZP print or digital advertising to the value of $1500
• 2 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon/early evening, value $398
• Participation in on-stage panel discussion during the Forum
• Circulation of marketing material at the Forum
• Inclusion of logo and identification as a Bronze sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening
SILVER | NZ$2995
• NZP print or digital advertising to the value of $3000
• 4 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon/early evening, value $796
• One-on-one interview on stage during the Forum OR
• Presentation of a case study at the Forum
• Participation in on-stage panel discussion during the Forum
• Circulation of marketing material at the Forum
• Inclusion of logo and identification as a Silver sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening
• 2 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon/early evening, value $398
• Inclusion of logo and identification as a Supporter on all print and online pre-promotion and postevent coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening
Contact Publisher, Brian Moore, to claim your Sponsorship package right away on +61 410 578 876 or email brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz
Digital printing and automation enable growth and progress for one stop digital print shop.
Since installing an AccurioLabel 230 digital label press in 2024, Auckland-based Pumphouse Print has boosted its productivity without compromising on its requirement for high print quality.
Jeff Sun, owner and operator of Pumphouse Print, has seen how the AccurioLabel 230 has enabled benefits across productivity, print quality, media handling, colour quality, colour management, and workflow. He says, “It has been a great addition to our business because we need to deliver quick turnaround times while ensuring high print quality. The AccurioLabel 230 provides this for us as well as ensuring consistency in colour output with its calibration unit.
“Before we installed the AccurioLabel 230, we had hit a brick wall trying to make things work with a much smaller solution, which just didn’t cut it. We had problems with operating costs, poor serviceability, and the quality output, all of which did not match the output we achieve through our digital sheetfed production press.
Jeff describes initial training on the AccurioLabel “as a breeze and completed in one session. User friendly AccurioPro Flux software makes jobs easy to setup for print and output for finishing. I can input a job and setup the media/take-up in less than five minutes”.
He adds, “The user friendly software and file handling make the AccurioLabel 230 easy to use. The software is a very tidy application: super easy to use with no complications whatsoever.
“For Pumphouse Print, purchasing the AccurioLabel 230 marked a huge step up from the small label printer we had initially looked at acquiring. That system didn’t work as the quality was just not comparable to our required output and the
costs to operate it just could not make it a viable running machine for our business. The AccurioLabel 230 has fixed that and provided the capabilities we needed.
Jeff has enjoyed using Konica Minolta solutions for several years and gives credit to the team for its commitment and expertise. He says, “We receive prompt service from the Konica Minolta technicians when we need them. We also get ongoing support from Mark Northin, and the team are always obliged to help when any queries may arise.
“The team at Konica Minolta provide solutions based on how our business operates and what I, as a customer, expect from the machine in relation to what it delivers on output.”
With a background in design, Jeff has earned a reputation for producing original, eye-catching products. He bought the company in 2019 and since 2021, he has been the sole operator. He says, “This is all to do with the machinery that we carefully acquire like the AccurioLabel 230. Keeping the technology digital and as automated as
much as possible has allowed Pumphouse Print to operate like this.
“We offer pretty much the full range of digital print work. Having the capability to offer a one stop shop solution, from design and printing through to finishing, means our customers can spend their time on their own businesses rather than chasing up on these different areas.
“Printing has become more niche. We continually look at introducing offerings that we can execute quickly, as well as retaining quality output. Currently, we see a surge in the growth of roll labels.
“Looking at how the AccurioLabel 230 complements our sheetfed press is quite nice to see as we run a lot of bespoke work for design agencies. We also do small and large run packaging so you can understand how all this work can tie in together for our clients.”
Jeff feels as concerned as other business owners in the current economic climate but says that the challenge of staying relevant within the industry requires an innovative approach, He says, “We continue to explore the possibilities that new technology can deliver. This allows us to expand on our offerings reaching out to newer demographics and different commercial sectors.
“You can say that, for a smaller business like ours, the AccurioLabel 230 represents a big investment, but it has quickly given us the throughput we need, so we can comfortably operate in a positive financial environment with plenty more room to grow. This has led to a subsequent expansion on a month by month basis as existing clientele and new customers become aware of our new service offering.
“Seamlessly integrating the AccurioLabel 230 into our workflow has given me confidence we can advance the business and seeing all the machines running at once is a nice feeling for sure!”
The new Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 400 press helps you profit from the latest trends in the Digital print customised label market. With the addition of our Vivid white colour option, you can capitalise on special finishes on a wide range of clear and metallic label media to produce striking Labels in one pass efficienc y.
Whether you’re a label print specialist looking to upgrade your digital capacity, or adding labels to your offering for the first time, you’ll profit from the flexibility and speed the new AccurioLabel 400 Press brings to your business.
SCAN TO REQUEST A FREE SAMPLE PACK
New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets in New Zealand have begun a five-month trial of a new soft plastics compacting system, that customers can use in store, aimed at making recycling easier and reducing the workload on store teams.
The trial, run in partnership with The Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and Manco Environmental, uses the first front of house soft plastics compactors of its kind. Manco Environmental designed and built the machines locally.
required by the stores’ team members. Debra continues, “They can hold up to five times plastic than standard soft plastic recycling bins and compact it into sealed liners ready for collection. That means fewer collections and less time spent managing it.
“Because it’s customer facing, it also makes the recycling process clearer and easier to use, which should help reduce What makes this different is that it’s front of house and designed for customers to use, rather than something tucked away out the back. That’s what its kind.”
how this performs with customers in a retail store.”
Ricky Bowen, owns and operates New World Whangamatā. He says, “Our customers are really engaged with soft plastics recycling, and we see a lot coming back through the doors. But managing it takes time, making sure it’s clean and ready to go. If we can make that simpler, it makes a real difference for the team and keeps the service going for customers.”
Three Coromandel stores taking part in the added pressure in that says, “They collect high they’re also off the beaten track, so transport costs add up quickly. This trial will help us see whether this kind
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The machines are fully enclosed and designed specifically for soft plastics, giving customers a clear, dedicated place to recycle and help reduce contamination compared to standard collection bins.
The five-month trial will assess whether customers use the machines correctly and whether they reduce the operational load on store teams. New front of house soft plastics
If we met at the NZ Sign & Print Expo, it was great to connect. If not, we’d love to understand what matters most to your business. We understand every print shop runs differently with its own clients, pressures, and priorities.
That’s why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We work alongside you to support your workflow, solve challenges as they come up, and help you deliver with confidence — without adding complexity behind the scenes.
More than a supplier. Your trade partner.
Chat with us today 0800 289 774, or register online www.wholesaleprint.co.nz
Neli Tolova’a, Trade Sales Manager
New series offers high efficiency for transactional applications and supports direct mail as well as book production.
Canon has added the ColorStream 7000 series to its ColorStream platform. The company says the series offers high efficiency for transactional applications, while supporting growth in direct mail and book production.
The ColorStream platform has achieved global sales of over 2,000 units. Canon has designed the new range of industrial presses to meet the needs of customers operating at mid-range production volumes on standard offset uncoated and inkjet-treated paper. Canon adds that it has developed the new printers on an advanced modern technology platform that offers long term serviceability.
The new ColorStream 7000 series comprises three models: the ColorStream 7075, ColorStream 7100 and ColorStream 7127, available in mono (1/1) and colour (4/4) configurations. Offering production speeds ranging from 48 metres per minute to 127 metres per minute and a monthly duty cycle of up to 56 million A4 impressions, the series enables customers to select the most appropriate
configuration for their current requirements, while offering flexibility to scale as needs evolve.
Built on Canon’s latest webfed inkjet architecture, the series features an intuitive user interface. All models feature native 600dpi printheads and highly pigmented, water-based inks with Canon DigiDot multi-level inkjet technology, which the company says delivers smooth tones and rich density that achieve perceived 1200dpi print quality.
The manufacturer has equipped the ColorStream 7000 series printheads with an advanced water cooled system that surrounds the printhead to regulate its temperature, keeping the viscosity of the ink at an optimal level for continuous supply during high speed printing.
In addition, Canon’s pre-fire technology maintains nozzle condition by keeping ink circulating inside the ink chamber when some of the nozzles are not activated during printing. Canon adds that its
professional colour management helps to ensure consistent print and colour reproduction quality throughout print runs and across batches.
Cloud-based management tools
Options for software include support from Canon’s Prismaproduction and Prismalytics Dashboard, an easy to use, cloud-based management information tool that provides comprehensive data overviews through multiple views of key performance indicators, trends and timelines, enabling customers to optimise productivity.
Canon says that Prismaproduction provides an integrated, scalable, high performance workflow and production management platform that automates and integrates data input and conversion, prepress and print output. It enables AFP/ IPDS workflow and PDF pre-flighting and makeready, data enrichment and page composition in one flexible print workflow via a single platform.
Waste free print pause, print in ramps, and inspection mode allow operators
to check and adjust print runs without unnecessary paper loss, while inline automation functions, including slow request, enable seamless communication with inline finishing equipment and ensure continuous productivity.
Canon adds that it has built the ColorStream 7000 series on an advanced technology platform that combines the latest press software, preventive maintenance and regular software updates, reducing downtime and improving overall equipment efficiency.
A wide range of sensors constantly monitor the press’s condition and help to control the entire printing process and to deliver high quality output results.
The ColorStream 7000 series features a modern, intuitive touchscreen user interface as the operating control panel. Canon says the user friendly WebUI makes it easy to find the desired menus and online support.
By analysing historical operational data, the press can recommend the next maintenance schedule to keep the press in an optimal status. It provides the proposed maintenance time window, giving operators the flexibility to arrange the maintenance in line with their production plans.
Featuring the same technical infrastructure as the ColorStream 8000, the new ColorStream 7000 series includes Canon’s latest SRA Massive Parallel (MP) controller, delivering improved RIP performance compared to previous models. The SRA MP controller is the powerhouse for processing the print data and transmitting it to the press at high speed. Adding more RIPs and other servers can upgrade the controller performance to reach a faster speed.
Scalable architecture makes it feasible to upgrade from a lower speed to a higher one and from monochrome printing to CMYK colour printing.
Canon says it has designed the ColorStream 7000 series with sustainability in mind, offering low power usage in both production and idle modes.
The presses feature an efficient contact drying system and an advanced infrastructure design that offers low energy usage and further minimises power consumption in the idle mode that supports reliable output on uncoated and inkjet-treated papers, while precise control of paper movement and ink jetting ensures clean, sharp-edged print results with consistent colour reproduction.
The ColorStream 7000 series also supports customers seeking to meet
Nordic Swan Ecolabel and Blue Angel 195 certification requirements.
Craig Nethercott, managing director at Canon Production Printing Oceania, says, “Print service providers operating at midrange production volumes are increasingly looking for a partner they can trust to deliver reliable and efficient technology and services, consistent high-quality output and clear total cost of ownership benefits.
“In direct response to those needs and based on real-world production environments, we have developed the ColorStream 7000 series in close collaboration with customers to bring the renowned reliability and ease of use of the ColorStream family to a broader range of customers.
“For those considering their next investment in production print with a focus on transactional, book and direct mail applications, we are convinced the ColorStream 7000 series makes a compelling case, not just as a press, but as the start of a long term partnership with the world’s leading webfed production inkjet manufacturer. And with the ColorStream 7000 series being just one member of the ColorStream family and within the Canon portfolio, the widest in the digital production printing market, we have the solutions, services, expertise and experience to support customer growth to any scale.”
Rob Mesaros, CEO of Currie Group, has announced the addition of new brands and products, further strengthening the company’s end to end solutions.
Effective from 1 July 2026, three business units previously within the Aldus Group, Paragon Inks, API Foils as well as Pad Printing, acquired as part of the Milford Astor business, have transfer across to be managed by Currie Group.
Mesaros explained this was the next logical step for Currie Group that has operated as a standalone business unit under the new Aldus ownership in the agreement that the companies finalised in late 2025.
“We have been undertaking an extensive process of portfolio evaluation. As a result, Currie Group will now manage and be responsible for foils, thermal transfer ribbons, Paragon flexographic Inks and industrial decorating and printing solutions,” Mesaros said.
“We will bring those businesses into Currie Group from 1 July 2026, as well as integrate them into our leadership and go to market structure.
“This decision was customer focused with the goal to expand the labels and packaging portfolio to include these three product categories that will come under the expanded responsibility of Mark Daws, as Director – Labels & Packaging ANZ.”
“All of our commercial digital portfolio, commercial finishing equipment and lithographic consumables products will be rolled up into a new Commercial and Sign & Display group that will be led by Paul Whitehead. Paul will also continue to lead the existing sign and display business.
“Our portfolio is expanding and as a result this requires an adjustment to our go-to-market strategy in Australia and New Zealand.
“All of these product categories require deep domain expertise and focus. Appropriate appointments will be made to ensure we have the depth of specialists and market coverage.
“The formation of the new Commercial and Sign & Display group supports the strong growth and evolution of both market segments.
“Within the labels and packaging side of the business, we now have the ability to bring consumables to our customers with inks and foils for the first time in the history of Currie Group. This is a perfect example of the synergies that have been derived for Currie Group as part of the Aldus Group of companies.
“This is another important step in the evolution of Currie Group,” Mesaros said.
“We have always focused on bringing together leading technologies, trusted brands and the strongest service and support capability in the market.
“The addition of these product categories further strengthens that position and creates new opportunities for our customers across Australia and New Zealand.
“As our portfolio continues to expand, so does our ability to help our customers improve productivity, unlock new revenue streams and access the expertise they need from Currie Group as their single trusted partner.”
New hub will further strengthen Durst Group’s production and innovation capabilities.
Durst Group has officially launched the Durst Como project, a new industrial and technology hub dedicated to digital textile printing in the heart of the Como textile district.
Representing an investment of approximately €20m ($39.8m) in buildings and infrastructure, the project aims to create a highly specialised production centre in Lombardy, focused on the development of inkjet technologies, software, applied research, and advanced solutions for industrial digital textile printing.
Christoph Gamper, chief executive officer and co-owner of Durst Group, says, “Como has been printing the world’s textiles for generations. We are not here to pass through. We are here to stay. Durst Como is a long term commitment: European technology, built here, for the world.”
The investment in Durst Como forms part of a growth path that Durst Group has pursued in the textile sector for more than a decade. Over the past 12 years, the Group has invested more than €50m in its textile business, with initiatives focused on developing international markets, enhancing laboratory infrastructure, and strengthening its sites in Brixen/ Bressanone and Kufstein. With revenues of more than €430m, Durst Group now aims to double its revenue over the next five years, supported by the further consolidation of its role in technologies for industrial textile printing.
Durst Como stems from the acquisition of Aleph, a company specialised in the design and development of advanced inkjet
solutions for direct to fabric and paper printing. The acquisition was initiated in 2023 and completed in 2025. Aleph has since fully merged into Durst Group.
Durst Group has been active in textiles for more than a decade, anchored by its hub in Kufstein. The integration of Aleph now extends this presence into Como, the heartland of the global textile industry, strengthening the Group’s position in digital textile printing and building on the expertise of the Como area, internationally recognised for its know how across the textile supply chain, fashion, and high value added applications.
Durst Como will become the Group’s third development and production site, with research and development capabilities, after Brixen/Bressanone and Lienz. The hub will play a strategic role in the development and production of inkjet technologies for digital textile printing, with a particular focus on fashion and
home textiles. Over time, the site will also grow into a centre for customer collaboration and for textile-related automation and software.
Alongside Como, Kufstein (AT) remains the Group’s textile hub for superwide and special developments, including drying solutions for superwide textile and graphics applications. Together, these complementary sites form the backbone of Durst’s international footprint in digital textile printing.
Alessandro Manes, director global sales industrial textile, Durst Group, says, “This project represents a key milestone in our growth journey. Our objective is to create in Como a highly specialised technology and production hub, capable of attracting expertise, developing new professional skills, and generating new opportunities for the local area.”
Durst Como’s new HQ will be designed in line with Durst Group’s industrial and technological standards, with a particular focus on innovation, efficiency, and integration with the local area. The company will develop the project within an existing building, thereby avoiding new land consumption and further soil sealing. It will follow energy redevelopment criteria geared toward the use of 100 per cent non-fossil energy.
Planned measures include installing heat pumps to replace the current gas heating systems and, in the first phase of the project, creating an approximately 600kWp photovoltaic system to generate 100 per cent green electricity. In line with initiatives already implemented at the Group’s other sites, Durst Como will also host a bee colony as an additional measure supporting biodiversity and the local ecosystem.
Durst Como forms part of a broader industrial vision aimed at strengthening Durst Group’s production and innovation capabilities in Italy, while enhancing its connection with the Como textile district and the expertise of the textile supply chain. The company adds that the project represents a clear commitment to the local area, translating into tangible employment opportunities, real value creation, and further industrial development.
Extended Technologies are not just software unlocks they are true advancements, based on new technologies, innovative approaches, and real customer experience. By investing in the P5 Series, you are not just buying a printer you are making a real investment in the future.
The largest Fespa co-located event offering to date delivers a global audience with a strong appetite to explore and invest in the latest technology and wide format solutions.
Fespa 2026 comprising Fespa Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest, Corrugated and Textile welcomed visitors from the speciality print, signage, packaging, personalisation, wrapping and textile sectors to the Fira de Barcelona.
The first flagship exhibition in Southern Europe since 2012 delivered six colocated events and three conference programmes under one roof. Organisers call it the most varied and multi-faceted to date.
Recently, Fespa Global Print Expo 2026 returned to the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, Spain, alongside European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and the brand-new Corrugated and Textile.
The six co-located events served as a gathering point for the speciality print, signage, personalisation, packaging and display, wrapping and textile communities.
Fespa 2026 welcomed visitors from 126 countries with a total visitor attendance of 24,798, making it one of the most
successful editions of the global event to date.
Figures show 15,495 unique visitors attended the show, a 10 per cent year on year increase on the 2025 event. 85 per cent of visitors comprised senior decision makers; with 77 per cent, chief executives, owners or managers. The collective median visitor budget was €3.5bn ($6.98bn), a 20.68 per cent increase on 2025, signalling strong propensity to invest.
Michael Ryan, head of Fespa Global Print Expo, says, “By bringing together six
clearly defined events, our aim was to give Fespa visitors a richer mix of opportunities to learn, be inspired and explore adjacent market sectors and applications.
“The patterns we’ve seen in event registration, usage of the Fespa app and conference attendance made it clear that most visitors have several overlapping areas of interest, so this approach serves their needs perfectly. For example, they might come to the show primarily for Fespa Global Print Expo and engage with European Sign Expo, Textile and our Fespa Conference programme.
“This highlights the exceptional value of a comprehensive global event with multiple exhibition and content strands; it gives decision-makers access to a vast spectrum of specialist expertise to validate their current direction while also investigating new growth opportunities –all in one place.
“The expansion into new print-related vertical markets reinforced the organisation’s Fespa Future strategy to Connect, Inspire and Support increasingly diverse global business communities. The co-located event portfolio also broadened Fespa’s reach and audience, strengthening its position as a leading platform for innovation, knowledge exchange and business growth across the speciality print industry and beyond.”
Fespa Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and Textile will return to Messe Munich, Germany from 6 – 9 April 2027.
From April 6-9, 2027, Messe Munich in Germany will host Fespa Global Print Expo 2027 and its co-located events: European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, Corrugated, WrapFest and Textile.
New Zealand Printer presents a detailed summary of the standout technologies and innovations that defined the event.
Showcasing a selection of its wide format inkjet solutions, Agfa demonstrated how its portfolio now offers a printing beast for every need. This is after several years of focused work across engines, inks, software, and automation and at Fespa, Agfa highlighted how its evolved portfolio translates into measurable impact for print and signage companies.
Making its European show debut, the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS, a hybrid wide format UV LED printer, bridges the gap between Agfa’s Ciervo and Tauro families on speed and price. Agfa says it delivers versatility, productivity, and high print quality
because of its seven-colour plus white ink set and media handling capabilities.
The company has built the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS 3.3m hybrid inkjet press for versatility with applications from exhibition panels and stage graphics to banners, films, textiles, and even corrugated.
With high productivity modes up to 450 square metres per hour, multiple board printing and energy efficient LED curing, the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS suits businesses looking to upgrade their horsepower while keeping costs under control. Agfa says its full CMYKcmk white ink set and easy to set media feed guides complete the picture, enabling quick and accurate printing on corrugated board across the colour gamut.
The company demonstrated the latest release of Asanti workflow, (V8), introducing deeper automation, smarter media handling, extended cutter support, improved colour rendering, with advanced job sorting, and layout capabilities.
Vincent Wille, president of digital printing solutions, said, “Today, our
portfolio stands for more than innovation alone, it stands for impact. We now offer a complete, future-ready ecosystem that helps customers increase efficiency, broaden their application range, improve quality, and produce more sustainably.”
Canon
Canon placed its wide format production technologies on the floor to show how that combines with the company’s customer led approach to “create bold, high impact prints that transform spaces and connect with audiences, delivering business impact”.
Canon’s show theme ‘Move your World’ symbolised the commercial momentum that print businesses can gain with the company demonstrating a curated selection of real world applications from across the retail, interior décor, point of sale, corrugated, and packaging segments. Canon gave its stand visitors practical expert advice on how to bring these applications to life.
Steven Badger, head of sales and professional services at Canon Production Printing Australia, welcomed customers
to the stand. He said, “Across the stand, visitors saw our world class portfolio of Canon large format production technologies in action, along with how we collaborate with expert software and finishing partners to create tailored, end to end solutions for the print industry.
“I had the chance to deliver personalised demonstrations and open conversations around where print is heading, and how technologies like UVgel continue to reshape high volume production environments.”
Visitors also saw a selection of prints and tactile applications created on Canon’s portfolio of high performance production technologies for large format print, including Arizona and Colorado, displayed in a visual and interactive sensory gallery on the stand.
Canon showed its new Colorado XLseries 3.4m printer, demonstrating its productivity, producing both flexible and rigid media applications live throughout the show. From signage and décor to point of sale and packaging, the printer extends the advantages of Canon’s UVgel technology to the 3.2m graphics market, delivering application versatility across a range of media. Canon says that from banner, paper, vinyl, and films to soft signage, heat-sensitive materials, foam board, fluted polypropylene, acrylic, and aluminium composite boards, print and signage companies have the flexibility to tackle diverse customer requirements.
With print speeds of 70 square metres per hour in quality mode, 106 square metres per hour in production mode and up to 211 square metres per hour in express mode, the system aims to deliver the productivity needed for demanding production environments while accommodating substrates up to 52mm thick for rigid applications.
Located between the Canon and Fotoba partner stands, Canon demonstrated its award winning Colorado M-series roll to roll printer in a UVgel Factory for Wallpaper configuration, producing a range of applications, from personalised wallpapers to wrapping papers, showing the commercial scope of mass customisation it can deliver.
This highlighted a modular solution for mass customised, automated wallpaper production with UVgel technology at its core, comprising a Colorado M5W roll to roll printer with a Fotoba jumbo roll JRL media feeder, output cutter, and rewinding taping unit.
Canon experts also hosted a series of AI Tactile Studio sessions to show how simple workflow fosters creative freedom
and allows users to create tactile prints produced using Canon technologies. Supporting print demonstrations across the printers, Canon’s Prisma XL Suite of workflow solutions worked as an open, flexible workflow integrating with existing systems, while supporting printers to deliver first time right prints and simpler production, even across complex jobs, from file preparation to printing the job, through to shipment.
Canon took the opportunity to recognise Currie Group recognised for achieving the third highest amount globally of unit sales for Canon Colorado printers.
Wouter Derichs, vice president of global business planning and strategy for Canon Production Printing, presented the award to Currie Group on the second day of the Fespa Global Print Expo 2026 in Barcelona. He said, “We are very pleased that Currie Group for the second year in a row and we are celebrating their great performance.
“Congratulations on being awarded the Top Global Partner Canon Colorado 2025 Award. This recognition is a testament to the dedication, expertise and outstanding commitment demonstrated by you and your entire team throughout the past year.
“Your contribution to the global success of Canon Colorado in 2025 has not only delivered remarkable sales results but has also strengthened the foundation of our partnership. We truly value the trust you place in Canon Production Printing and the excellence you bring to our shared goals.
“On behalf of Canon Production Printing Australia and Canon Production Printing, it is our honour to present you with this award. We are proud to have you on board as a trusted Canon Production Printing Partner and are excited to build on this success together in 2026 and beyond.”
Paul Whitehead, Business Unit Manager –Sign & Display Currie Group, spoke of the
pride the team felt in receiving the award for the second consecutive year. He said, “It shows Currie Group’s commitment to top tier technology in the Australia and New Zealand market.
“Canon Colorado has become a very important and integral part of our sign and display portfolio and that success has provided us with access to the Colorado XL that we are seeing for the first time here at Fespa and we look forward to bringing this to our region by the end of this year.
“The Canon UVgel is widely adopted and accepted in the market. As soon as customers heard that this technology had been expanded to a 3.4m platform. Everyone has been excited to jump on board.”
Aarque Group and Currie Group supply Canon wide format solutions in New Zealand.
At the show, DGM distributor GraphPak announced the completion of its third installation of DGM equipment throughout the Australasian market just five months into the 2026 calendar year.
Graph-Pak has partnered with DGM for 10 years, the last five years as the exclusive agency in the region. Tom Ralph, managing director of Graph-Pak, said “DGM is a front runner as far as servo automation on a folder gluer goes. They knock out 60 per cent to 70 per cent of manual labour set up times, so changeover and production times are a fraction of what they were.
The DGM ServoX 1100 features motorised carriers, full and sectional job memory recall, and an extended pre-folding section that measures 3m total in length. It also has a new universal multi-function section with integrated bump and turn,
which allows the machine to turn cartons 90 degrees in alignment.
DGM Global, the largest manufacturers of folder gluers and die cutters in China, manufactures the machines. Tom adds, “They are one of my favourite suppliers and I’m glad that we have them on board; 14 installations in the last five years, and every single one of them are happy and would buy another one.”
Tenny Chu, global sales manager for DGM, spoke about the difference between DGM and its competitors, She said, “The main difference is that DGM does not just sell a gluer, but also the solution around the gluer. We are a company that is known for offering more than a single product, but customised turnkey solutions utilising tooling and accessories around the gluer including packing and automation solutions.
“We work very closely with Manuela and Tom from Graph-Pak. Over the past 10 years, we have more than just a professional relationship, it has been a very close partnership, and we have always worked together to support our customers.”
Presenting an integrated production approach, Durst Group featured its machines, inks, software, and data layer developed as one system. From entry into the Durst ecosystem to industrial high speed production and connected software environments, the company placed the focus on performance, scalability, and long-term integration.
Several new Durst solutions included:
The new P5 350 CORE which enables Durst to position its P5 platform for a broader mid-market segment as the entry point into the Durst system environment. Developed as a best-of-breed configuration, CORE combines proven
technologies and features from across the P5 portfolio into one integrated platform. It reflects the XT (Extended Technology) concept: continuous development, performance optimisation, and upgradability across the installed base.
The system incorporates the latest software architecture, enabling future performance updates and extended application capabilities. At the same time, features such as the high-performance vacuum belt expand material flexibility, while the new machine design improves operator handling and reduces setup effort.
The P5 500 TEX iSub plus 5m Hasler cutter, demonstrated a complete sublimation workflow with the combination operating as a continuous production line, from RIP to finished cut, with one workflow, one operator interface, and one data stream. This removes process boundaries between printing, fixation, and finishing and enables consistent production conditions.
Combining intelligent software with ink control realised savings of up to 30 per cent. Together with True Shape Nesting, this drives higher production efficiency and improved shift-level economics.
The P5 350 HSI aimed for higher volume production environments. Built on the P5 system architecture, the P5 350 HSI delivers industrial throughput while maintaining print quality and process stability. Powered by the new XT software platform architecture, the system unlocks capabilities such as Digital Substrate Alignment (DSA). This feature enables fully automated, precise substrate positioning, which reduces manual intervention and setup times. As a result, production becomes more efficient, repeatable, and scalable across shifts.
Kyveris Sandbox and Open Software Initiative (OSI) which connects machines, jobs, materials, and production results
across systems, enabling continuous analysis, process optimisation, and measurable productivity improvements.
OSI also provides open APIs and documented interfaces for integration with MIS, workflow and finishing systems. This allows customers and partners to connect existing environments without proprietary lock-in.
Durst also won four EDP Awards at the tradeshow for its Durst P5 technology, Durst Entera LED Inks, and Open Software Initiative. The awards are:
• Best Flatbed/Hybrid (150 to 400 square metres per hour): Durst P5 350 CORE.
• Best Multipass Corrugated: Durst P5 SMP.
• Best UV Ink System: Durst Entera LED Inks.
• Industry Achievement Award: Open Software Initiative (OSI) led by Durst.
Christoph Gamper, chief executive officer and co-owner of Durst Group, said “Awards are not the reason we do this work. They never were but they are a signal that years of engineering discipline, customer focus, and conviction about where this industry is heading are beginning to compound. Most of all, I am proud of the team. R&D, software, product management, service, operations, sales, marketing, and everyone who carried this week.
“Trade shows look glamorous from the outside. The reality is long nights, pressure, thousands of small decisions, and people willing to stay when others already went to sleep. Endurance matters. Consistency matters.
“Our commitment to graphics is unbroken. We believe deeply in this market and in the customers who built it with us over decades. And we are far from done. At the same time, the Kyveris Sandbox in Barcelona showed where the next chapter is heading. Not away from machines. Beyond machines alone. Toward production systems that learn, adapt, connect, and improve continuously.
“The Industry Achievement Award for the Open Software Initiative means a lot to me personally. OSI was a long journey: from a world of near-total vendor dependency toward an open software ecosystem where machines, workflows, and software can connect intelligently. That foundation became one of the building blocks for what is now evolving into Kyveris.
“Durst turns 90 this year. That gives perspective. Meaningful things are rarely built in quarters. They are built across decades, by people willing to stay
the course. Honestly, I feel we are just getting started.”
Matt Ashman, managing director for Durst Oceania, said, “It’s such an amazing honour to be recognised again by the EDP awards. Our teams at head office, in R&D, and manufacturing really drive to innovate and develop solutions that customers need and love every day, and such awards are real validation to their hard work and dedication.”
Among the range of EFI innovations at the show, visitors saw the new EFI VUTEk M3h X hybrid LED printer; the new EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340 i8 eightcolour dye sublimation printer; the EFI VUTEk X5r roll to roll LED printer; and the EFI VUTEk Q3h XP seven-colour hybrid printer in action, each designed to help sign and display producers scale output, diversify applications, and drive more profitable growth.
Frank Pennisi, chief executive officer at EFI, said, “From soft signage to superwide production and high end hybrid printing, our portfolio is designed to give print providers the flexibility and efficiency they need to stay competitive and profitable across every segment.”
EFI says the VUTEk M3h X printer delivers high quality imaging at high speeds and true hybrid versatility for board and roll printing in one system, enabling new applications and revenue streams without added equipment. It offers automated design features for reliable operation; advanced print capabilities like white ink and multilayer printing up to nine layers; and energyefficient LED curing.
The 3.4 metre VUTEk FabriVU 340 i8 dye-sublimation printer with inline fixation aims to meet the colour fidelity demands of retail, event, and branded
environments with eight-colour printing that reproduces a wider gamut, renders richer tones and smoother gradients, and more accurately matches brand colours. Its eight colours (CMYK + Orange + Blue + choice of two light inks – light cyan, light magenta, or light black) expand the printable gamut beyond fourcolour printing for the reproduction of challenging Pantone colours, especially oranges and blues. EFI says it produces smoother gradients, skin tones, and pastels with light inks. The printer delivers up to 2,400dpi resolution and four-level greyscale printing with 4pL18pL drop sizes.
EFI says the VUTEk FabriVU 340 i8 printer delivers production level speeds up to 375 square metres per hour and features inline fixation and advanced media control to print directly to a range of polyesterbased materials and sublimate in a single step, with runs ready for finishing straight off the printer. You can turn off the inline sublimation for transfer paper printing. Applications include in store signage and point of sale displays; front lit graphics; lightboxes; and SEG wall graphics where backlit colour must hold up under direct illumination.
The VUTEk Q3h XP hybrid LED printer has a new seven-colour configuration of light cyan, light magenta, and light black for an expanded colour gamut, neutral grey balance, and smooth pastels. Optional white and clear ink and multilayer printing make it suited to premium applications, such as high end retail displays, backlit graphics, and event and exhibition graphics.
For high volume indoor and outdoor graphics production, the 5.2-metre VUTEk X5r roll to roll LED printer offers workflow automation and reduced operator intervention. The printer integrates a range of intelligent automation technologies designed to streamline production from print to
finished graphic. These include automatic Y-slitters for inline trimming; Smart Slide automated job collection and stacking; and EFInsight, EFI’s cloudbased analytics platform for monitoring production data, performance metrics, and system efficiency.
Its InSpec AI option, an industry first AI-powered quality control system, continuously scans printed output during production to identify defects, support real-time correction, and reduce waste and reprints. The technology creates a digital record of printed output for traceability and post-production analysis while helping operators maintain consistent print quality with less manual intervention.
EFI also showed its single-pass digital inkjet innovations built on the EFI Nozomi platform, highlighting continued expansion of the portfolio for packaging and display graphics production. Features included the new 1.7m wide EFI Nozomi 17000 SD platform for signage and display applications.
The company’s sample textile applications highlighted the output of its latest technologies, including the EFI Reggiani ecoTerra water-based pigment ink solution. Designed to simplify textile production by eliminating the need for pre-treatment, steaming, washing, and stentering, the ecoTerra solution removes multiple process steps and reduces the requirement for large, pre-treated fabric inventories and ancillary equipment. It helps lower operational costs while significantly reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption, and supports faster turnaround times and more sustainable, on-demand production across a wide range of textile applications.
Currie Group supplies EFI solutions in Australia and New Zealand.
This year, Epson’s stand covered signage, textile, dye-sublimation, direct to film, direct to fabric, UV, workflow, and colour tools.
Mark Tinkler, from Epson Europe’s commercial and industrial printing division, said, “From high quality garment and sportswear output to personalisation and value-added UV applications, our focus is helping businesses produce with confidence, consistency and efficiency.”
The company previewed upcoming dyesublimation developments including a compact, desktop dye-sublimation printer intended to complete its small format dyesub range, making it easier for businesses to produce personalised items and short run products with professional results.
The newly announced SureColor SCV4000 A1+ UV flatbed printer expands Epson’s UV offering, printing across applications such as personalised items, fine art, photography, and signage.
Chris David, head of product marketing Chris Davis at Epson Europe, said, “The V4000 is the latest in our range for UV printers. So, this is an A1 Plus Size UV flatbed with 10 colours, exceptional colour, fantastic small text down to two point. Reaction has been very positive.”
Epson’s SureColor SC-F20000 dyesublimation printer offers high quality output and robust media handling. Built to support high volume production environments, the SC-F20000 uses eight PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads, developed to deliver stable output through its printhead configuration. It also supports long continuous printing with large capacity 10 litre ink and automatic ink switching (Hot Swap) to reduce operator intervention during busy periods.
Epson also highlighted its new SureColor G9000 high production direct to film printer. Epson says this new machine introduces enhanced speed, reliability, and ease of maintenance for commercial garment decorators and textile producers.
Visitors to the stand saw the company’s latest decorative media portfolio, featuring Hex’Pression, Hex’Perience, and a new collection of glass décor films tailored for signage, interior styling, and high impact creative projects.
The showcase also included the newest developments from Bodyfence by Hexis, including BodyfenceX, BodyXFast, CandyFence, and coloured PPF solutions engineered to deliver durable, premiumgrade paint protection across a wide range of vehicle applications.
Adding to the launch activity, Hexis also debuted Hexis Precut Lab (HPL), its latest precision pre-cutting software designed to simplify and streamline the cutting of paint protection and window films through an intuitive, accuracy-focused interface.
Computaleta supplies Hexis solutions in New Zealand
Launching the HP DesignJet Z6 and HP DesignJet Z9+ PostScript Printer Series Plus Edition, gave HP the chance
to reinforce its broader momentum in large format printing, including continued innovation in HP PrintOS Production Hub workflow automation and increasing customer adoption of the HP Latex FS70 W.
Built on a platform with more than 40,000 units installed worldwide, the new printers combine the strengths of the previous HP DesignJet Z6 and Z9+ printers to expand access to professional photo-quality output across a range of industries. Applications range from professional photography and retail graphics to posters and technical prints.
HP says that with their HP Pixel Control technology and HP Vivid Photo Inks, the printers produce sharp detail, smooth gradients, delivering water and fade resistant prints. HP says its dual drop technology enables high quality output without requiring light inks, helping maintain productivity across multiple media types.
The HP DesignJet Z9+ Plus Edition Printer suits colour-critical applications, including professional photography and high end graphics. It features an embedded spectrophotometer for consistent colour calibration and optional HP Gloss Enhancer for improved gloss uniformity. New productivity print modes can increase output by up to 90 per cent, while dual roll support, automatic roll switching, and an integrated vertical trimmer help reduce manual intervention and post-processing time.
Melbourne-based Vivid Ads has purchased two additional HP Stitch printers to complement the two it already runs. Imran Memon, director at Vivid Ads, said, “We specialise in the display signage and portable displays that used extensively within the event industry.
“We know the fabric printing market is huge and there is a lot of potential for us
in this industry. We believe in the years to come we will expand our business, especially in the fabric category. We expect to invest further in the near future.”
Jeremy Brew, HP Latex evangelist, said, “Since the very beginning we have worked very closely with the Vivad Ads team. As fabric printing is such a learning curve, we spent a lot of time early on getting the settings right to achieve the best result and putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.”
Celebrating its success with an “interactive booth experience that allowed hundreds of visitors to move beyond the brochures and witness real-world results”, iECHO says it strengthened its ties with the global signage community and gathered invaluable insights for future research and development.
Among the innovations on the stand, the iECHO BK4 cutting system ran as an advanced, high-speed cutting solution engineered for single-layer material processing. Built for precision and productivity, the system performs full cutting, half cutting, engraving, V-grooving, creasing, and marking.
The company says it designed the system to deliver outstanding versatility and set a new benchmark for digital cutting performance.
Fujifilm Business Innovation and Cardy supply iECHO in New Zealand.
Kongsberg PCS
Highlighting its new inkjet marking module, Kongsberg says the solution enables operators to add production related information, compliance marking and order number identification at the production stage, adding that it replaces the requirement for manual marking steps, such as pen marking or an external label printer.
The new module supports producers required to place labelling on packaging for product information, while also offering track-and-trace capabilities. These include identification and serial numbers, batch numbers, production dates, and high resolution graphics such as symbols and logos.
Features include resolution up to 600dpi; full integration with Kongsberg PCS’s i-cut Production Console software; low operator maintenance; and easier colour swap. The
new module can print on a range of media including corrugated, folding carton, solid board, flexo plates and foam. Applications include shelf ready packaging with simple print, point of purchase displays, and industrial items.
The company also displayed a selection of cutting table configurations for rigid, flexible, textile, and corrugated applications.
Total Supply distributes Kongsberg PSC solutions in New Zealand.
The newly launched UJV200 series UV roll to roll printers featured on the Mimaki stand.
The company says it developed UJV200 to make high-quality UV printing more accessible, while enabling print and signage companies to expand into a broader range of applications. Mimaki says the printer delivers smooth gradients, sharp text and uniform solid colours with minimal graininess. This enables consistent, high quality results across applications where precision and visual clarity are essential, such as retail graphics, wayfinding signage and technical displays.
The printer features an enhanced Dot Adjustment System enabling automatic image quality adjustment with significantly reduced setup time and media consumption. The system operates across transparent and coloured media for consistent output quality, regardless of operator experience and helping to streamline production processes.
The UJV200 also uses instant ink curing, allowing operators to handle prints for finishing and installation immediately after production. The inclusion of white and clear inks supports up to three-layer printing.
Total Supply distribute Mimaki printers in New Zealand.
Jointly developed with HP for integration with the HP R Series printers – R1000, R2000, and the new R530, the Neolt Factory Automatic Feeder & Stacker system supports up to 40cm of material on both input and output tables and includes automatic height adjustment to maintain level operation throughout the job. You can tailor both the feeder and stacker to accommodate varying panel sizes, layouts, and throughput requirements.
Autonomous motion control targets seamless communication with connected devices and smooth operation as part of an integrated print or finishing line.
Ettore Briccoli Pontiggia, Neolt Factory owner and international sales manager, said, “NeoIt is based in Italy, and we try to help customers be more productive and work unattended. That’s why we brought this solution to Fespa.”
Currie Group supplies Neolt Factory solutions in New Zealand.
Summa has taken the wraps off its latest product line at Fespa Barcelona with the launch of its
The new Summa F Series Vantage flatbed cutting tables made their Fespa debut this year. Available in 1612 and 1625 models and promising 40 per cent productivity gains, the F Series Vantage offers automation that anticipates errors before they happen, an open ecosystem, and a wide tool library.
Geert Pierloot, managing director at summa, said, the new F Series Vantage marks the next evolution in flatbed cutting from the company. He explained, “We worked closely with customers and partners to understand their biggest challenges, which came down to preserving margins amidst rising costs, seizing new business opportunities and keeping safety a non-negotiable in the workshop.
“That’s why we designed the F Series Vantage with the goal of keeping your operation moving and empowering operators. It’s the easiest to install flatbed we have ever made and it’s more intuitive to use than ever. Anyone can master this flatbed in under one hour, thanks to the ease of use and the GoProduce software.”
The new tool library features a high frequency 3.7kW router; Fast+ and Core+ tangential modules; as well as rigid material and high precision cutout tools. Other features include new motion control, unique blade recognition, and a new media thickness sensor.
Computaleta supplies Summa cutting systems in New Zealand.
swissQprint
Under the motto ‘Made for Winners – Loved by Thousands’, swissQprint used the platform of Fespa Barcelona to highlight how print and signage companies can run efficient production and differentiate themselves in the market with versatile applications.
Live demos with the Kudu flatbed printer and the Karibu 2 roll to roll printer formed the stand’s centrepiece. The machines produced a mix of everyday applications and value added work, including neon prints, colour changing effects, and tactile finishes.
Carmen Eicher, chief sales and marketing officer at swissQprint, said, “Our customers look for versatility in applications, but also for reliable performance and investment security.”
Total Supply distributes swissQprint solutions in New Zealand.
With the theme ‘Reliable All-Rounders’, Zünd demonstrated how operators can configure modular cutting systems for a range of production requirements, from entry level systems to highly automated industrial solutions.
On a Zünd G3 cutter, the company introduced the newly developed RollMaster, a flexibly configurable roll off unit for all roll materials, sizes, and weights. The RollMaster can feed textiles and other flexible materials with a core, as well as denser roll materials such as plastic films or paper, all of which it can load quickly and easily. Zünd says its quick roll changes require no additional setup. The modular
RollMaster enables retrofitting with ease depending on the materials.
The company also showed a compact S3 cutter in combination with a Robot PortaBase 175 from robotics partner Robotfactory. The unit automates material handling, demonstrating how companies can combine digital cutting processes with robot-assisted workflows to increase throughput, improve process stability, and reduce operator workload. In this context, Zünd has made its open Loading and Unloading interface available as an option in ZCC Zünd Cut Centre.
A new thread-milling tool from Zünd expands the functionality of its cutters to include an integrated processing step. Threads can now be created directly on the cutter in a variety of rigid materials.
For manufacturers of signage, architectural lettering, or display graphics, this significantly simplifies installation as mounting points can now be precisely prepared as part of the cutting workflow. Zünd demonstrated this application live at Fespa Barcelona, providing a tangible example of the expanded functionality this feature offers.
In addition, Zünd introduced a new blade holder that enables precise V-cutting of tight contours in applications such as acoustic panels.
All featured cutting solutions adhered to Zünd’s modular system approach. Machine configurations can be flexibly adapted and expanded as needed, from new tools and software options to automated materialhandling and part-removal solutions. This approach supports companies in changing market environments and ensures longterm investment security over the system’s entire service life.
Aarque Group supplies Zünd cutting systems in New Zealand.
Aarque Group general manager
Darrin Weir and national sales manager Craig Harrison attended the recent Fespa 2026 event in Barcelona, where they saw the advances across five leading brands that will shape the future of the industry: Canon, Epson, HP, Roland DG, and Zünd.
Darrin says, “Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via proved once again why Fespa is the global heartbeat of wide format print. Thousands of print professionals crowded the halls to experience the latest in large format printing, cutting, and finishing technology.
“For New Zealand’s print community, the show offered a compelling preview of the devices and workflows that will define the next generation of production five of which deserve close attention.
Canon
Built around the theme ‘The Power to Move’, the Canon stand highlighted the Colorado M5W and the Colorado XL-
series, a 3.4m wide UVgel platform that handles substrates up to 52mm thick. Available in roll to roll (XL7R) and hybrid (XL7H) configurations, the XL-series introduces the new UVgel 860 ink set, formulated for flexible and rigid media.
Darrin says, “These printers deliver the hallmarks of Canon’s gel technology: instant-dry, odour-free output, matte
or gloss finish control without the need for a separate varnish channel, and outstanding dimensional stability. New UVgel 850 printheads with 4,544 nozzles per head provide automated nozzle monitoring and compensation, while the UVgel Fullbeam Curing system, a 3.4m-wide LED array with an integrated mirror system, guarantees consistent UV dosing across the entire print width.
Print speeds reach 211 square metres per hour in Express Mode, 106 square metres per hour in Production Mode and 70 square metres per hour in Quality Mode. The modular TRIdrive vacuum belt system minimises media wrinkling and skewing, and the platform is field upgradable, allowing you to start with roll to roll and add a rigid table as their business grows. Target applications span retail graphics, soft signage, exhibition displays, POS and wide-format packaging.
Canon demonstrated the Colorado M5W in a ‘UVgel Factory for Wallpaper’ configuration, partnered with Fotoba’s jumbo roll JRL media feeder, output cutter, and rewinding taping unit. This automated, modular system produced personalised wallpapers and wrapping papers live on the stand. Darrin says, “This combination provided a compelling demonstration for New Zealand print businesses eyeing the booming décor and customised packaging markets.
The M5W brings together roll to roll UVgel productivity at 1.6m with optional white ink and FLXfinish+ gloss/matte control, plus the newly introduced FLXture texture effects capability. Paired with automated media handling, the result is a repeatable, labour light production workflow for everything from short run murals to personalised commercial packaging.
Arriving at Fespa with a refreshed identity, the ‘Make Your Mark’ brand initiative launched in April, Roland DG impressed with technology to back it up.
The company has engineered its TrueVis VG4 Series eco-solvent print and cut solution for sign makers and print service providers who need premium quality graphics with greater operational simplicity. Darrin says, “The platform refines Roland’s proven eco-solvent chemistry with enhanced colour fidelity, improved white and metallic ink performance, and
a cut precision system that delivers tight registration even on complex contours, critical for vehicle wrap, retail POS, and fine detail decal applications.”
Roland DG’s Fespa seminar, ‘From Product to Experience: The New Frontier of Personalisation’, explored how print providers can move beyond commodity output and into high margin, experience driven work. Darrin adds, “The Roland DG VG4’s versatility is well positioned to support this concept. For New Zealand sign and display shops looking for a dependable allrounder that grows with their application mix, the VG4 warrants serious evaluation.”
Swiss precision cutter manufacturer Zünd took its ‘Reliable All Rounders’ theme to life with a showcase that underscored just how far digital cutting automation has advanced. As its centrepiece, it highlighted the G3 cutter featuring the newly developed RollMaster a flexibly configurable rolloff unit compatible with virtually all roll materials, sizes, and weights.
The RollMaster can feed textiles and flexible materials on a core, as well as denser materials including plastic films and paper, with roll changes that require no additional setup. Its modular
Zünd’s combination of modular hardware and open automation interfaces offers a genuinely future-proof investment path.
construction means you can retrofit it to existing G3 systems, protecting earlier investments while adding new capability.
Zünd also demonstrated robotic cobot integration, pairing a compact S3 cutter with a Robot PortaBase 175 from partner Robotfactory. The unit automated material loading and unloading, demonstrating a practical pathway to lights-out or reducedoperator production, made possible by Zünd’s new open Loading & Unloading interface in ZCC Zünd Cut Center software. It also introduced threadmilling capability, allowing it to create mounting threads directly on the cutter in rigid materials, eliminating a previously separate production step for signage and architectural lettering.
Darrin adds, “For New Zealand finishing shops handling diverse substrate types and facing labour cost pressures, Zünd’s combination of modular hardware and open automation interfaces offers a genuinely future-proof investment path.
With its research and development campus based in Barcelona, HP made full use of its home ground advantage, placing its Latex technology at the centre of its stand.
HP showed the HP Latex R530 as a compact all in one hybrid designed to deliver vibrant, consistent output across rigid substrates and roll media from a single device. Darrin says, “Water-based HP Latex inks provide environmental credentials without compromising on durability, scratch resistance, or colour gamut. The R-series is certified for a wide range of applications, from outdoor signage and retail displays to vehicle graphics and bespoke interior décor.
Another highlight, the HP Latex R2000, offers automated media handling and the PrintOS Production Hub, HP’s cloud-based platform integrating order
management, job preparation, and remote printer control in one connected workflow. Its new Order Approval feature allows clients to review and sign off jobs directly within the platform. Darrin says, “This is a notable productivity advance for busy NZ print operations juggling multiple client workflows.
“HP’s commitment to water-based ink chemistry continues to align well with sustainability expectations in the New Zealand market, where environmental compliance and lowemission print environments are increasingly valued by both print providers and their brand clients.”
Organising its production focused stand into dedicated zones, Epson highlighted textile, direct to film, UV, and technical/signage output. Darrin says, “Epson’s SureColor S9160 represents its commitment to high performance graphics printing.
“Epson has designed the SureColor S9160 printer with the user in mind delivering a solution with compact dimensions, a flat top and low profile design with a clear top window, ensuring easy operation.
“The 64 inch SC-S9160 sets a new standard in signage printing by delivering exceptional image quality, an expanded colour gamut, unparalleled productivity and a compact, user friendly design. Equipped with Epson’s latest user-replaceable 6.7cm PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead, the SureColor S9160 features an integrated temperature sensor, nozzle verification technology and nozzle replacement. Epson says these advancements ensure reliable image quality and consistent colour output while significantly boosting productivity. This new PrecisionCore printhead makes the SC-S9160 a versatile and efficient choice for signage businesses of all sizes, according to Epson.
“An advanced 11-colour ink set includes red, orange and an all-new green, as well as opaque white ink, which you can use on clear or dark substrates to add versatility and enhance colour. This expanded ink set delivers a broad colour gamut and enables vibrant and accurate prints on a variety of media types, including vinyl, canvas, film, wallpaper and other roll media up to 1626mm.
“The printer also features an advanced auto tension control system for highprecision media feeding and an included media lifter making media setup simple and easy. Its intuitive 10cm tiltable touchscreen offers more convenient operation with animated instructions to enhance the overall user experience.
“Epson’s broader Fespa presence, spanning the new SureColor SC-F20000 industrial dye-sublimation printer and SC-V4000 UV flatbed reinforced the brand’s evolution into a full-spectrum
production print partner, equally at home in technical, textile, and graphics environments.
Fespa takeaways
Attending Fespa gave the Aarque Group team invaluable insights into the industry trends that it is passing on to its customers. Darrin says, “What Fespa Barcelona 2026 made abundantly clear is that the wide format industry is no longer dividing along the old lines of solvent versus aqueous, roll versus rigid, print versus cut. The boundaries are dissolving.
“Devices like the Canon Colorado XL and the HP Latex R-series blur the distinction between flexible and rigid. Zünd’s cobot integration points toward finishing automation that was once the preserve of offset packaging operations. Roland’s refocused brand and the TrueVis VG4’s versatility speak to an industry growing its service breadth, not just its speed.
“For New Zealand print businesses, these technologies arrive at an opportune moment. Labour costs, substrate versatility, and the push into high value applications like interior décor, personalised packaging, and architectural graphics are all live business conversations here. The devices showcased in Barcelona, many of which will be available through local distribution channels before year’s end, offer practical answers to those questions.
He concludes, “While the next Fespa Global Print Expo heads to Munich in 2027, the innovations unveiled in Barcelona will shape New Zealand print businesses well before then.”
Delivering seamless solutions with cutting-edge hardware and premium media to power your business
Kiwis and Aussies cement their connections at the giant show in Barcelona.
While New Zealand’s Fespa contingent was smaller this year, those that attended the show made the most of their time in Barcelona. Our photographer snapped some familiar faces at the event.
Epson has announced its new SureColor F20060, a 193cm (76 -inch) industrial dye sublimation printer designed for high-volume textile production environments.
Succeeding the SureColor F11060, the SureColor F20060 builds on Epson’s industrial platform, delivering significantly higher productivity through an expanded printhead configuration and faster printing speeds of up to 300 square metres per hour.
The company says it developed the SureColor F20060 for textile manufacturers and print companies requiring fast turnaround times, consistent output quality and reliable operation in demanding production workflows.
Nutec Digital Ink has announced the availability of Ruby R10-DTF, a high performance UV-curable Direct to Film (DTF) ink solution engineered for fast, short run durable decal production.
The company says that, designed for LED-UV printers, Ruby R10-DTF ink delivers smooth decal transfer and clean release performance without the need for weeding, helping print providers significantly reduce production time and labour costs. Nutec adds that eliminating
Epson adds that the new printer features eight PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads, enabling faster throughput without compromising image quality or stability. With printing speeds of up to 300 square metres per hour, it suits industrial-scale production of fashion apparel, sportswear, home furnishings and soft signage.
An optional Jumbo Roll system, supporting media rolls of up to 300 kg allows for extended, uninterrupted printing and reduced downtime caused by frequent media changes. Epson says this makes the SureColor F20060 particularly suitable for high-volume manufacturing
the manual weeding process associated with traditional vinyl applications streamlines workflows creating faster turnaround times for customised and short run jobs.
Hi-Tec Ink supplies Nutec Digital Ink solutions in New Zealand.
Nutec adds that Ruby R10-DTF offers
environments where continuous operation is critical.
To ensure consistent print quality at high production speeds, the printer incorporates Epson Precision Dot Technology combining halftone processing, LUT optimisation and Micro Weave technology to deliver accurate colour reproduction, smooth gradations and reduced banding.
Advanced media handling features support reliable and repeatable output, including easy media loading; Advanced Auto Tension Control for stable media feeding; and an integrated dryer designed to minimise ink transfer and reduce wrinkling during operation.
The SureColor F20060 runs on a bulk ink system with 10 litre or three litre ink boxes and hot-swap capability to minimise interruptions during long print runs. User replaceable printheads further contribute to reduced maintenance time and improved operational efficiency.
A 22cm LCD touch panel provides an intuitive user interface, while integrated auto -adjustment technology, including an RGB camera system, assists in maintaining consistent print quality.
excellent adhesion on DTF A films applied onto a wide range of substrates, including glass, metal, wood, plastic, ceramic and other commonly used promotional and decorative surfaces. Its high opacity white ink, vibrant colour reproduction and outstanding coverage on dark, tinted and metallic materials, ensure eye catching results across a variety of applications, according to Nutec.
Developed for stable jetting and fast curing performance on DTF, PET and paper-based A-films, the R10-DTF formulation targets consistent output and reliable print quality.
Nutec adds that the new ink achieves sharp detail, vibrant colour and durable performance with every print whether producing branded gadgets, promotional products, personalised items or decorative graphics.
Your team will perform better and become resilient, engaged, and energised when you design a system that keeps their motivation alive.
Across the sign and print world, we love a good number, so setting sales targets feels like the most obvious way to lift performance. It’s clear, simple, measurable. Set the target, reward the win, repeat. On paper, it makes perfect sense, targets focus effort, create clarity and, if achieved, drive revenue.
But here’s the truth that we at Make It Happen hear all too often in our On the Frontline Bootcamps, and in our consultancy roles within real businesses: targets on their own don’t motivate people.
In fact, when you don’t set them well, targets can quietly drain confidence, crush momentum, and leave good people feeling like they’re failing, even when they’re trying their hardest.
Motivation isn’t magic; it’s dopamine
To explain how targets, on their own, don’t motivate people, let’s step out of the boardroom for a second and into another world I love, the dog training field. Why? Because the exact same principles apply.
When I first started training dogs as a hobby, I learned quickly that you cannot
force an animal to be motivated; you must find out what motivates it and then use that to build motivation. And that means understanding dopamine, the neurotransmitter that drives seeking, striving, and pursuing rewards.
Essential for survival in animals, including humans, dopamine spurs the instinct to pursue food, water, comfort, and safety simply disappears. Without dopamine this instinct disappears.
In a study where scientists blocked dopamine receptors in rats, the test subjects still enjoyed food when placed in their mouths, but they no longer had the motivation to eat or drink on their own. They starved. Not from lack of resources as the experiment placed food in proximity, but from lack of motivation to get and consume the food. This is exactly what happens in sales teams when targets are set wrong.
Where targets work and where they don’t
A target gives the brain something to chase. As we move closer to a reward, dopamine rises and we feel energised. That’s putting it simply. But the dopamine system is more nuanced than “set goal, get motivation”.
Here is the real science:
• If a target is too easy, dopamine drops. The brain becomes bored and motivation fades.
• If a target is too hard, dopamine spikes at first, pushing people to try harder but only for a while.
• If a target is consistently missed, hope fades. When hope collapses, behaviour collapses with it.
This brings us to one of the most important psychology studies most leaders have never heard of, the Curt Richter “Hope Experiment”.
In the 1950s, biologist, psychobiologist, and geneticist Curt Richter conducted an experiment which placed rats in water to see how long they would swim. Some gave up and drowned. But another group who were pulled out right before drowning, given a rest, and put back in, swam for twice as long.
They swam for twice as long not because they were stronger and not because they had better technique. They did so because they had hope they could survive.
Hope literally doubled their effort.
Now think about your sales team. If people feel like they can win, they will push harder. If they believe they can’t? They will stop trying.
That’s the Target Trap.
Targets only work when hope stays alive
A team without hope is a team without motivation. If people believe they can win, even if it’s difficult, they will work harder, stay resilient, and push through discomfort.
However, what happens if they constantly fall short? If they never feel the satisfaction of success? If targets feel like traps rather than challenges?
In these cases, they will stop trying. For them, dopamine shuts down and engagement collapses.
That is the Target Trap: assuming targets alone create motivation. In reality, targets can destroy motivation when not designed with psychology in mind.
The chase with hope zone
Dog trainers, behavioural psychologists, and successful sales organisations have all discovered the same truth: Motivation skyrockets when rewards are achievable but not predictable. This is called variable reinforcement.
The principle holds the key to why dogs stay engaged during training; why gambling can become so addictive; and why high performing teams maintain momentum over time.
Here’s how this applies to setting targets:
• Make some months easier. People
must experience success regularly. Wins build confidence.
• Stretch them over other months. A challenge sparks dopamine, but only if they believe they can get close.
• Always reward achievement. When you miss out on delivering a promised reward, you instantly kill trust, hope, and buy-in.
• Make targets individual. What fires up one person might totally deflate someone else.
At On The Frontline, we talk about these all the time:
• You can’t expect the same motivation or the same numbers from everyone.
• Not every brand consultant is at the same skill level, confidence level, or experience level and that’s perfectly fine.
• If you set one universal bar, you guarantee that someone will fail and often repeatedly. Repeated failure is the fastest way to kill hope.
If you want a motivated frontline team that drives results, here’s the blueprint:
• Set targets based on individual capability, not guesswork.
• Use cycles of stretch months and confidence-building months.
• Celebrate every win you promised you’d celebrate.
• Track motivation and behaviour, not just numbers.
• Create small, early wins to build momentum.
• Keep progress visible so hope stays alive.
This isn’t fluff. It’s behavioural science and it’s how you build a resilient, confident, high-performing sales team.
Build hope not pressure
Targets don’t motivate people. Dopamine does. And dopamine doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from belief, progress, and the thrill of reaching a target.
When you create targets that balance challenge with hope, and rewards with reliability, your team doesn’t just perform better.
They become resilient, engaged, and energised. Not because you pushed them harder, but because you designed a system that keeps their motivation alive.
Fourth generation signwriter Michelle founded the Make It Happen Signage Academy ANZ, dedicated to raising capability across the sign and print industry. She helps businesses strengthen skills, protect margin, and deliver higher value work with confidence.
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Visual Impact
September 2-4, 2026 | Sydney Showgrounds
See firsthand the latest innovations for signage; digital and wide format; engraving and routing; textile printing and garment decoration; promotional products and awards; vinyl application; design; screenprinting and display solutions. visualimpact.org.au
LOUPE Americas 2026
September 15-17, 2026 | Chicago
Formerly Labelexpo Americas, this event’s cornerstone is the hundreds of live demonstrations and product launches from global manufacturers, offering the opportunity to see technology in action across the entire supply chain. loupe-global.com
Printing United 2026
September 23-25, 2026 | Las Vegas
The big show for all things print in the USA has gone from strength to strength featuring the latest technology, seminars, and opportunities to meet and learn from industry experts from around the world. printingunited.com
People In Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards
October 13, 2026 | Auckland
The awards event recognises the outstanding people in our industry, following the must attend Printing & Packaging Forum. newzealandprinter.co.nz
Women in Print & Sign
November 3, 2026 | Quality Hotel Elms, Christchurch
November 11, 2026 | Sorrento in the Park, Auckland
Women In Print & Sign has become more than just a networking event. Specifically for the women in our industry, these sell-out events have become calendar highlights so be sure to the date in your diary. printnz.co.nz
Fespa Global Print Expo
April 6-9, 2027 | Munich, Germany
The annual Fespa Global Print Expo will again co-locate with the European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and Textile events and will welcome the return of the Fespa Awards, World Wrap Masters and Club Fespa. Fespa.com
All In Print China
October 12-16, 2026 | Shanghai, China
The show promises a comprehensive overview of the printing supply chain with the product range will covering prepress, printing equipment, paper, ink, related services, and software solutions. allinprint.com
