FuturePrint Podcast

• #257 Can Print Ever Be Truly Sustainable? Industry Leaders Debate

  Send us a textThis podcast is a webinar discussion hosted June 27 by Elena Knight and featuring: Steve Lister, Stefan Casey, Carlos Lahoz, Matthew Rogerson and Jeff Freeman.To view the replay, click here. To download the draft version of 'A Manifesto for Sustainable Print' click hereShow Notes: When five leading industry experts gather to tackle the question "Can print ever be truly sustainable?", the conversation quickly reveals how complex sustainability truly is in the print world.The panel explores how different players across the value chain define sustainability differently - from substrate manufacturers to printers to brands - creating fundamental misalignment that hinders progress. As Steve Lister provocatively notes, "Print is inherently a sustainable industry" that we've complicated with modern materials and processes that are difficult to recycle.What emerges clearly is that data transparency forms the backbone of sustainable transformation, yet remains the industry's Achilles heel. Stefan Casey emphasizes that without clean, standardized data that everyone can understand and act upon, sustainability efforts will continue to falter. The experts agree that collaborative ecosystems and shared language are essential for meaningful change.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when discussing responsibility. Should consumers bear the burden of sustainability decisions? The panel largely agrees that expecting consumers to navigate complex sustainability messaging is unrealistic. As one panelist notes, "I can't believe we still allow businesses to make products that are unrecyclable." The upcoming Green Claims Directive, with potential fines of 4% of company turnover for misleading claims, signals that regulatory pressure is mounting.Most compelling is the introduction of the Sustainable Print Manifesto - an industry-wide initiative aiming to create alignment around sustainability best practices and establish a shared "North Star" for the entire value chain. This collaborative framework addresses design, compliance, and innovation while acknowledging that one size doesn't fit all.For print professionals concerned about navigating the sustainability maze, this discussion offers practical wisdom: start by measuring your impact, focus on design (which determines 80% of environmental impact according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation), and embrace collaboration rather than trying to solve problems in silos. Join us in making print not just sustainable, but a positive force for environmental change.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #256 Revolutionizing Garment Decoration: The Digital Transformation of Fashion

  Send us a textPhil Oakley takes us on a fascinating journey through the garment decoration industry, revealing a sector surprisingly behind the digital curve despite enormous potential for transformation. Drawing on four decades of experience across printing technologies, Oakley illuminates why he founded On Point Supply to tackle inefficiencies plaguing fashion supply chains.The statistics he shares are eye-opening: of the 600 million t-shirts consumed annually in the UK, half bear decorations, yet only 70 million are produced through digital processes. The remaining 230 million rely on traditional methods, generating a staggering 40,000 tons of CO2 yearly. This disconnect between modern retail demands and outdated production methods creates a perfect storm of inefficiency, environmental impact, and missed opportunity.What makes Oakley's perspective so valuable is his laser focus on workflow efficiency beyond just printing technology. He describes the evolution from a triangle of print value (image quality, speed, cost) to a square that now includes versatility. Throughout our conversation, he unpacks the fragmented software landscape where no single solution addresses all challenges for bulk production, requiring consultants like himself to identify specific pain points rather than attempting wholesale system replacement.Perhaps most compelling is his comparison of the fashion industry to a car with a Tesla exterior (sleek e-commerce front-end) powered by a gas-guzzling Cadillac engine (outdated production processes). This visual perfectly captures why brands struggle with bloated inventories and unsustainable practices despite sophisticated consumer-facing technology.Ready to explore how digital transformation could revolutionise your garment decoration business? Connect with Phil on LinkedIn or visit onpointsupply.co.uk to learn how focusing on workflow efficiency might be the key to reducing costs, minimising environmental impact, and meeting the demands of today's rapidly changing fashion landscape.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #255 - Packaging Innovations in the Nordic Region

  Send us a textFrom Finland’s papermaking giants to Sweden’s design-led start-ups, the region is combining deep industrial heritage with cutting-edge innovation. Archipelago’s Powerdrop system makes paper containers waterproof, oilproof, and recyclable — running fast enough to match moulded pulp lines, and ready for global deployment.This isn’t just sustainable design. It’s a scalable business model — and a major opportunity for the print and coatings industry.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #254 Recreating the Urban Canvas: How Embrace Building Wraps Turn Construction Sites into Storytelling Platforms

  Send us a textThe urban landscape is constantly evolving, with construction sites and building renovations an unavoidable part of city life. But what if these necessary disruptions could be transformed into stunning visual displays that enhance rather than detract from our shared spaces?Greg Forster, founder of Embrace Building Wraps, joins the FuturePrint podcast to reveal how his company is revolutionizing the construction industry through creative, sustainable building wraps. From wrapping Oxford Street in a giant IKEA bag to creating illuminated architectural displays for luxury London developments, Greg shares the fascinating stories behind some of the UK's most iconic temporary installations.Drawing on his background in outdoor advertising with companies like Diageo, Unilever, and Clear Channel, Greg explains how a chance conversation outside a pub led to the founding of Embrace Building Wraps in 2013. With a simple concept—conceal, disguise, or advertise—the company has grown to become an award-winning leader in sustainable large-format printing and installation.The conversation delves into the extraordinary complexity of managing these projects, which Greg describes as "herding cats on a seesaw" with numerous stakeholders including clients, contractors, engineers, and installation teams. Learn about the meticulous planning, engineering calculations, and safety considerations required to transform scaffolding into enormous art installations that can withstand British weather for months on end.At the heart of Embrace's success lies a genuine commitment to sustainability. Greg shares their pioneering work with PVC-free materials, their "Banner Karma" initiative that repurposes used materials, and their partnership with Ecologi that has led to the planting of over 17,000 trees globally. Their philosophy that "there should never be a conflict between supporting the future of our planet and turning a profit" offers valuable lessons for businesses in any sector.Whether you're fascinated by urban design, construction, sustainability, or entrepreneurship, this conversation offers a unique glimpse into an industry that transforms the visual experience of our cities while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in large-format printing and installation.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #253 The Power of Community: The Dscoop Success Story

  Send us a textFor twenty years, Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative) has created one of the print industry's most powerful communities – a global network where HP digital print users share knowledge, solve problems together, and accelerate innovation.In this fascinating conversation, Marcus speaks with Peter van Teeseling, Executive Director of Dscoop, and Amir Raziel, Head of Global Strategy for HP Industrial Print, about the unique partnership that has transformed digital printing. "The decision to make Dscoop an independent organization has created that environment where we have our own space to play in and HP has their own space, and where there is overlap, that's where magic happens," explains Peter.This magic manifests in tangible business outcomes. Members can instantly tap into global expertise when facing challenges, reducing risk and compressing learning cycles from months to days. During the pandemic, Dscoop members formed impromptu networks to share materials and regional insights. A quarterly leadership call connecting 100 volunteer leaders across continents became a permanent fixture, allowing businesses of all sizes to benefit from global market intelligence.What makes Dscoop particularly powerful is its culture of openness. "There's an element of trust which is very unique to this group," notes Amir. Unlike traditional industry associations where competitors guard their secrets, Dscoop members willingly share both successes and failures. This transparency creates what Peter calls "a shared brain" that accelerates innovation far beyond what any single organization could achieve alone.As the industry confronts transformative technologies like AI and automation, Dscoop continues to evolve, providing curated learning experiences that help members navigate complexity and seize new opportunities. The results speak for themselves – members consistently rate the business impact of their participation at nearly 9 out of 10.Whether you're an HP digital print user looking to grow, a supplier seeking deeper customer connections, or simply curious about how communities can drive industry transformation, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the power of collaborative innovation. As Amir powerfully states: "The future of the print industry is ours to create... the more we collaborate, the better we will be."Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 15,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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