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The FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, held May 6-9 at Messe Berlin, reaffirmed its role as Europe’s leading venue for showcasing technological advancements in digital, textile, and wide format printing. With more than 550 exhibitors from over 35 countries, FESPA highlighted hardware innovations that are redefining workflows through automation, sustainability, and versatile production capabilities.
Which announcements had the most impact from the technical significance and strategic implication perspectives? Let’s take a look.
| Messe Berlin, the home of Fespa’s Global Print Expo 2025 |
Signage and Graphics Printing: Performance and Automation
HP’s Latex R530 Printer addresses the need for hybrid printing with eco-conscious inks. Capable of handling rigid and flexible substrates up to 1.6 meters wide, it uses 3-liter water-based latex inks and prints at 24 square meters per hour in indoor mode. Featuring high-opacity white ink, the R530 supports applications such as retail décor, POP displays, and environmental graphics—balancing quality with operational safety and flexibility.
Agfa introduced the Jeti Bronco H3300 S, a 3.3-meter hybrid UV LED inkjet printer designed for sign shops and digital printers seeking versatility, productivity, and high-quality output. This model supports rigid and flexible media, offering print speeds up to 248 m²/h and resolutions reaching 635 x 2,400 dpi. It utilizes a six-color plus white ink configuration with optional primer, and features UV LED curing for energy-efficient operation. The Bronco H3300 S includes continuous board feeding and independent dual-roll printing capabilities, enhancing workflow efficiency.
| AGFA Jeti Bronco H3300 |
Canon’s Arizona 2380 GTF expands its flatbed portfolio with precision registration and VariaDot imaging technology. This model excels in tactile printing and multi-layer output on diverse substrates, including packaging prototypes and ADA-compliant graphics. LED curing and static table design enhance output accuracy, serving needs in décor and promotional segments.
| Canon Arizona 2380 GTF |
swissQprint introduced the Nyala 5, the latest generation of its flagship flatbed printer. It offers a 23% speed boost over its predecessor, printing up to 206 square meters per hour. With support for up to 10 color channels (including neon and white) along with a modular, energy-efficient vacuum system, Nyala 5 is built for producers requiring scalable, high-end graphic production.
EFI’s VUTEk M3h rounds out the signage segment with a hybrid UV LED system designed for commercial-scale applications. It accommodates substrates up to 3.2 meters wide and 50 millimeters thick, reaching 2,400 dpi resolution. Integrated with EFI’s Fiery platform, the M3h provides color management and real-time analytics, which is suitable for applications like exhibition graphics and fleet branding.
Textile and Apparel: Industrial Adaptability and On-Demand Fulfillment
Textile printing was a prominent feature at FESPA 2025. Mimaki’s Tx330-1800 supports direct-to-textile and dye-sublimation modes, using interchangeable pigment and dye-sub inks. Designed for applications such as fashion apparel, home décor, and soft signage, the Tx330-1800 offers media flexibility in a roll-to-roll configuration, appealing to multi-purpose production environments.
| Mimaki Tx330-1800 |
Brother’s new DTRX-series direct-to-film (DTF) printer marked its entry into high-volume roll-to-roll apparel printing. Designed for media up to 800 millimeters wide, the system uses a CMYK plus dual-white inkset for vibrant, durable transfers. Engineered for industrial performance, it features automated media handling and reliability-enhancing functions—supporting continuous garment production with minimal operator intervention.
| Brother DTRX-series DTF printer |
Epson launched the SureColor SC-F9500H, a 64" dye-sublimation printer designed for high-volume textile production. Building on the SC-F9400 series, it features a compact form, a new PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead delivering up to 30% faster output, and it supports an expanded inkset of CMYK plus orange and violet for a 20% wider color gamut. Ideal for sportswear and soft signage, it also supports fluorescent inks. User-focused improvements include a 4.3" touchscreen, Epson’s Nozzle Verification Technology, hot-swappable 1.6L ink packs, and user-replaceable printheads, all aimed at minimizing downtime and enhancing productivity.
Kornit Digital introduced Apollo, a direct-to-garment (DTG) system designed for fully automated, high-throughput apparel production. With a capacity of up to 400 garments per hour, the platform integrates robotics, AI-based quality management, and a unique curing process that eliminates offline finishing. Supporting cotton and synthetic blends, Apollo is optimized for on-demand production and sustainability. Offered via Kornit’s All-Inclusive Click (AIC) subscription, it reduces entry barriers for digital transformation in garment decoration.
Workflow and RIP Technology: Adobe PDF Print Engine 7 Introduced
Adobe unveiled PDF Print Engine 7 (APPE 7), a major update in rendering technology for digital prepress. A core advancement is its support for in-raster image processor (RIP) multicolor transparency blending, allowing expanded color gamut (ECG) jobs to be processed with accurate transparency without flattening. This reduces workflow complexity while improving color precision in packaging and large-format applications.
In parallel, Adobe previewed its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Adobe Print Services platform, which automates pre-RIP tasks like image upsampling and text recognition. Together, APPE 7 and Print Services form a more intelligent rendering pipeline—aligning with market demands for faster, error-resistant workflows. APPE 7 entered beta testing with RIP OEMs in April, with general availability expected by August 2025 and production deployments by 2026.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 provided a clear view of the industry’s evolution toward smarter, more sustainable production ecosystems. From hybrid UV and flatbed printers to textile-dedicated roll-to-roll and DTG systems, the hardware launched in Berlin reflects a commitment to automation, scalability, and adaptability across segments.
As analog methods continue to yield to digital-first workflows, the equipment introduced at FESPA 2025 sets a high standard for technical innovation. Whether in signage, décor, or fashion, these systems enable print businesses to remain competitive in a fast-changing, value-driven market. The expo confirmed that the pace of innovation in print hardware is not only accelerating—it is strategically aligned with the future of print.
FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 will take place May 19-22 in Barcelona, Spain. The event will be hosted at Fira de Barcelona, one of the largest exhibition centers in the world. We can’t wait.
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