FuturePrint Podcast

• #288 - Kavalan and Leading the Transformation to PVC-Free Wide Format

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson talks to Rob Karpenko, Director of Sales, Europe at Kavalan – the PVC-free banner brand that has become synonymous with measurable sustainability in wide format.Rob shares his journey as a long-time materials specialist and explains how Kavalan’s strategy has remained consistent: reduce water and energy use, tighten manufacturing efficiency and back every claim with independently audited data. He lifts the lid on the Kavalan Eco-Calculator, showing how printers and brands use it not only for ESG reporting but also as a powerful sales and marketing tool to quantify CO2, water and resource savings for every campaign.The conversation explores how legislation and culture are reshaping substrate choice, from Tallinn’s decision to mandate PVC-free external advertising from 2026 to rising demand in Asian markets. Rob is frank about where the US and parts of Europe still lag – and why printers themselves, rather than end consumers, are often the ones driving the switch.We discuss the crucial point that PVC-free no longer has to be a compromise. Rob shares case studies where Kavalan has been chosen primarily for performance – anti-curl behaviour, higher strength-to-weight ratios and better load performance – with the environmental benefits as an added bonus.You will also hear the story behind the first Kavalan Green Awards, spotlighting standout projects from Blue Rhine, Embrace and Format Graphique, including IKEA’s flagship Oxford Circus installation. These projects demonstrate that large-scale, complex and highly creative campaigns can be delivered without defaulting to traditional PVC.Finally, Rob talks about new products, expanding distribution, and his personal motivation for driving change – and offers a grounded, commercially realistic view of how the industry can move from “nice to have” to sustainability as standard.If you are a wide format printer, brand, retailer or event organiser looking to cut carbon without cutting quality, this is an essential listen.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #287 - Rethinking AI: How Manufacturers Can Turn Hype into Real Productivity

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with David Rochholz, consultant at Netlight and keynote speaker at the AI for Industrial Print Conference at FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich. With a background in computer science and machine learning, Roccholz helps some of Europe’s largest organisations turn AI from a vague concept into practical business value.David explains how the evolution of AI — from early “big data” to today’s generative tools — has created both excitement and confusion. His core message is clear: before thinking about AI technology, companies must first understand their value chain. Only by examining the specific steps that create value can organisations identify where AI can augment, automate or accelerate their workflows.He shares real-world examples, including a case in aviation where AI dramatically improved aircraft ground-time planning. The human stayed in control, while AI acted as an “exoskeleton” that amplified human performance rather than replacing it.For industrial print, David argues the applications are vast: job classification, production scheduling, workflow optimisation, data clean-up, error detection and more. But AI also reveals uncomfortable truths about digital maturity. If data is inconsistent or fragmented, AI will expose the flaws instantly.He also tackles the common misconception that AI simply removes jobs. Instead, he says, AI removes repetitive tasks — freeing people to focus on creativity, innovation and problem-solving.For those beginning their AI journey, David recommends something simple: start experimenting. Play with ChatGPT, try tools like Lovable, observe the possibilities, and then begin imagining what happens when such tools are fed your company’s data automatically.This is a grounded, practical, and inspiring conversation that sets the stage for David’s talk in Munich — and a must-listen for anyone serious about AI’s impact on manufacturing.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #286 - Data, Discipline and the Future of Inkjet: How Droptimize is Redefining Jetting Performance

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, we speak with Raphaël Wenger, co founder of Droptimize, a Swiss engineering company bringing a data driven workflow to one of the most complex corners of industrial inkjet: waveform optimisation.Wenger shares the origins of Droptimize, which grew out of years of hands on optimisation work at the iPrint Institute. The manual process of logging variables, testing parameters, and tracking results was slow and error prone. Droptimize was created to automate that workflow and give engineers reliable, searchable access to all waveform and jetting data. Today, the company provides both optimisation services and drop watching instruments with integrated data management.We explore the challenges of industrial inkjet development, from the sheer number of parameters involved to the difficulty of working at high frequencies and long throw distances. Wenger discusses how Droptimize has enabled customers to unlock new performance levels, including a recent automotive printhead project where Droptimize identified a completely new waveform that is now in commercial use.The conversation also covers broader industry trends, including the rise of data driven development, increasing interest from ink manufacturers, and the movement toward automated or self optimising workflows. Wenger gives insight into emerging applications such as robotics based direct to shape printing and the long term potential of bioprinting and tissue engineering.Looking ahead, Raphael sees three major trends shaping the future of inkjet applications. First, direct-to-shape printing is gaining momentum and often involves long-distance jetting—a technology that needs optimized waveforms to maintain print quality over extended printing gaps. Second, high-viscous jetting is emerging, and these applications often rely on multiple pulses to shear-thin the ink until jetting is achieved. When combined with direct-to-shape, this will enable the use of inks similar to paints for decorating complex 3D objects. Finally, he sees long-term potential in biomedical applications, an emerging frontier where inkjet technology could play a transformative role in tissue engineering. The scalability of inkjet is particularly well suited for this, as it can print very fine structures—such as blood capillaries—at dimensions matching those of living tissue.Raphael also previews his presentation at FuturePrint Industrial Print in Munich, where he will demonstrate new Droptimize capabilities including misting analysis, high frequency stability testing, and the company’s nozzle navigator for rapid full head characterisation.This is an essential listen for anyone involved in inkjet integration, ink development, waveform optimisation, or advanced industrial printing.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #285 - Surface Science for the Digital Age

  Send us a textIn this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Frazer Chesterman speaks with Peter van Steenacker, Sales Manager at Tigres, one of Europe’s leading providers of atmospheric plasma systems. Known as “Plasma Peter” after 27 years working in surface treatment technology, van Steenacker offers an accessible and insightful look into why plasma pre-treatment has become essential to the growth of industrial digital print.Peter explains the science behind atmospheric plasma — how it modifies polymer surfaces by increasing wettability and improving adhesion, making it possible to digitally print with high quality on notoriously difficult materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene. He breaks down the two core challenges (low surface energy and crystalline structure) and illustrates how plasma introduces oxygen and heat to transform the printability of plastics.The conversation also explores real-world applications. Tigres systems are integrated into digital printing machinery used to decorate credit cards, plastic bottles, closures, tubes, cosmetic containers, glass bottles, automotive parts and even aluminium cans coated with polymer. With the rapid expansion of digital print into 3D objects, functional components and consumer packaging, demand for reliable plasma treatment has never been greater.Peter also discusses Tigres’ precise power-controlled plasma systems, why dose accuracy matters, and how the company works with OEMs and integrators to test materials — especially given the variability and secrecy around polymer formulations.Looking ahead to FuturePrint Industrial Print Munich, Peter previews his conference session on the fundamentals of plasma for digital print and highlights the 12-nozzle plasma array Tigres will display at the event.A deep but highly accessible introduction to the enabling technology behind digital print on plastics — essential listening for OEMs, integrators, materials specialists and anyone exploring industrial digital print’s next phase.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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• #282 - Connected Packaging Moves Centre Stage

  Send us a textThe discussion in this episode draws on findings from io.tt’s latest Connected Experiences Report (CXR3), a global study exploring how brands, designers, converters and consumers are really using connected packaging today. The report digs into adoption trends, preferred use cases, consumer expectations, sustainability communication, GS1-driven change and the shifting role of QR and NFC across the pack lifecycle. It also includes practical viewpoints from partners such as Team Creatif and Eurostampa, with concrete implications for packaging, print and brand teams planning their next steps in connected experiences.👉 Download the report here: https://io.tt/whitepapers/cxr3In this episode, Marcus Timson explores the fast-evolving world of connected packaging with three guests who sit at different points in the value chain:Stefan Casey, Head of Ecosystem at io.tt, the connected experiences platform behind the new Connected Experiences reportBenoit de Lavarene, Managing Director at Paris-based branding and design agency Team CreatifRiccardo Sauvaigne, Innovation Lab lead at premium label specialist EurostampaStefan explains how connected packaging has matured from a marketing novelty into a critical business tool. Powered by GS1 digital barcodes, QR codes and NFC, packs are becoming gateways to services, safety information, provenance data, loyalty and sustainability narratives. The third edition of io.tt’s global report reveals that consumers now expect this: over a third want QR codes clearly visible on the front, while 86% develop a negative view of a brand when links are broken or redundant.Benoît brings the brand and consumer lens. For him, connected packaging finally allows the pack to live up to its role as “first media”, extending a small physical surface into an expandable storytelling canvas. He outlines how brands can use connected experiences for education, inclusivity, recycling guidance and authentic sustainability communication, while warning against one-off gimmicks and overwhelming content. Strategy and simplicity win.Riccardo describes what all of this means in practice for printers and converters. Through Eurostampa’s Innovation Lab, brands, agencies and production teams co-create labels that combine design, embellishment and robust connected triggers. He highlights the need for new capabilities in digital print, variable QR, NFC encoding and inline verification, as well as a mindset shift from “supplier” to “solution architect”.Listen on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastSpotifyWhat is FuturePrint? FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events. We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany

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