FESPA Barcelona Opens with New Equipment, Strong Energy

The 2026 FESPA Global Print Expo kicked off this morning in Barcelona, Spain, offering a strong view of the state of the sign and graphics segment, as well as a preview into other considerable areas of opportunity. Day One of the event featured press conferences, product announcements, and exhibit halls that were, at times, difficult to navigate. The exhibit halls, which were divided into segments covering wide-format graphic printing, signs, apparel, corrugated packaging, and applied graphics ("wraps" widely-defined), all showed new solutions and demonstrated the evidence of significant segment overlap — also known as industry convergence.

One significant product launch was the new F Series Vantage platform from Summa. Consisting of two new digital cutting systems, the larger F1625 and the smaller 1612. Both systems, said Summa CEO Stijn Henderikx, continue the company’s commitment to accuracy, reliability, and usability, as well as offering a 40% increase in speed over the company’s previous platforms.

In a press conference held in its exhibit stand, Durst CEO Christof Gamper celebrated the company’s 90th anniversary and provided a view into how data and A.I.-driven strategies will dominate the years ahead. He described the company as having moved from craft, to engineering, to code, and that the next decade will belong to “industrial intelligence.” In addition to presenting a view of the future, the company also introduced the next model in its P5 series, the P5 Core, and featuring hybrid printing capability and the option for robust, enhanced automation of material handling. Durst also touted its new Kyveris software platform, designed to deliver greater integration of a variety of production software systems.

Agfa highlighted the European introduction of its Jeti Bronco HS, about which member of the press were urged to “saddle up.” The updated, upgraded Bronco printer, reported head of product management and applications Kuen Steert, is a 3.3 meter hybrid printer aimed at signed/display and packaging that includes a CMKYkmk + W ink configuration and media feeding guides for corrugated production. The Agfa team also reported its Asanti workflow software has received more than 60 enhancements to optimize printer TCO, connectivity, and production.

While more product introductions are sure to be highlighted over the next couple of days it is important also to note Roland DG’s movement into the industrial printing market, with its preview of its self-branded VersaObject RC-300 helical printer and a larger system created in partnership with LSINC, which are designed to print directly on cylindrical or tapered cylindrical objects. While obvious applications include the decoration of bottles and drinkware, the results of technology user ingenuity will surely expand what these systems can do. These new systems add Roland DG to other producers, including Inkcups and Dlican, currently offering helical printing solutions.

A walk through FESPA’s Wrapfest area on the Expo floor yielded a couple of interesting observations. First, there has been a profusion of automotive color change films in the vehicle wrapping space, and these products are being featured by film manufacturers to the point that printed wraps were shown almost as an afterthought. A second notable profusion in this area was the number of exhibitors showing durable resurfacing films presented in stone and woodgrain finishes. These two developments back up something heard from seasoned graphics installers who are following the money in their space: the portability of their skills into adjacent areas and the expansion of the types and features of pressure-sensitive materials on the market.

That is all for Day One of the event here in Barcelona. Tune in over the next couple of days for additional reports and observations.