Your Weekly Large Format Print Briefing [Week 32, 2025]
Welcome to this week’s edition of Wide Format Brief, your curated take on the top shifts shaping large format print. From milestone celebrations that strengthen industry networks to CSR initiatives investing in the next generation of talent, and from public-facing creative showcases to strategic channel moves and open software ecosystems, this week’s picks spotlight the breadth of innovation driving our industry forward. Whether your focus is community building, expanding market reach, or integrating smarter workflows, there’s something here to inform your next strategic step.
📢 In today’s Wide Format Brief:
Women in Print Alliance celebrates milestone membership year
Durst becomes first official partner of the FESPA Foundation
Roland DG art-wraps a digital grand piano
Agfa appoints Artwork Systems Nordic as Anapurna distributor
Durst launches Open Software Initiative & Smart Factory portfolio
📰 Top 5 Headlines This Week
1. Women in Print Alliance marks one-year membership milestone
Summary:
PRINTING United Alliance’s Women in Print Alliance celebrates its first year as a formal membership program, expanding benefits and planning its largest-ever Expo presence (Booth #3956; Oct 22–24, Orlando).
Key takeaways:
Membership includes workshops, meetups, members-only content, and a directory.
Corporate, individual, and student options scale access.
Expo agenda features luncheon, receptions, and curated gatherings.
Why It Matters:
Talent pipelines and retention hinge on community and mentorship.
Use WIPA events for recruiting rising stars and setting up cross-team mentoring.
2. Durst becomes first official partner of the FESPA Foundation; joins ‘Adopt a School’
Summary:
Post-FESPA, Durst is the foundation’s first official partner and the first to sponsor a school (Malekapane Primary), with plans to expand across Africa.
Key takeaways:
Supports printed learning materials and school infrastructure.
Connects CSR with early STEM/creative exposure tied to print.
Sets a precedent for wider industry participation.
Why It Matters:
Community investment can double as workforce development—consider partnerships with local schools and internships linked to prepress, color, or service roles.
3. Roland DG x Roland: art-wrapped digital grand piano showcases print applications
Summary:
Roland DG and Roland Corporation will unveil an art-wrapped digital grand piano on Aug 9 in Hamamatsu, produced with wide-format and tactile print techniques in collaboration with Paralym Art.
Key takeaways:
Combines wrap, direct-to-object, and tactile embossing.
Public showcase positions print as part of multisensory brand experiences.
Demonstrates cross-device workflow possibilities.
Why It Matters:
This is a case study in packaging multiple print technologies into high-margin experiential installs—wrap, D2O, and textured output in one bid.
4. Agfa appoints Artwork Systems Nordic as Anapurna distributor (Scandinavia)
Summary:
Agfa named Artwork Systems Nordic distributor for its Anapurna wide-format portfolio in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Key takeaways:
Boosts regional sales, service, and workflow-led consulting for Anapurna.
Timed ahead of autumn purchasing cycles; expect local demos.
Underscores Agfa’s focus on strengthening Nordic channel depth.
Why It Matters:
Channel support influences install timelines and training quality—Nordic PSPs should lock in demo slots now to influence Q4 delivery.
5. Durst launches Open Software Initiative & “Smart Factory” portfolio
Summary:
Durst unveiled an open, modular software ecosystem debuting at PRINTING United 2025, with interoperability beyond Durst hardware and dedicated booths for workflow demos.
Key takeaways:
Modular suite: Smart Shop, Lift ERP, Prepare, Produce, Production Intelligence.
API-first design targets mixed-vendor fleets and third-party partners (incl. callas).
Two-booth setup (3156 & 2266) aims for partner engagement and beta sign-ups.
Why It Matters:
Open, interoperable workflow reduces vendor lock-in—shops should bring API checklists to Orlando and test live integrations on the show floor.
🎯 This Week’s Strategic Takeaway
Partnerships and platform openness are defining the second half of 2025. From CSR-backed education pipelines to API-driven software ecosystems, the smartest shops will align vendor choices with both workforce growth and future-proofed workflows.
❌ This Week’s Noise
“AI that fully replaces RIP/prepress with one click.” Slick demos crumble under real customer files—until there’s proof of JDF/JMF compliance and API integration, it’s marketing, not reality.
📅 What’s Coming Up
PRINTING United Expo 2025 – Oct 22–24, Orlando
The industry’s biggest North American stage for large format print, featuring the debut of Durst’s Open Software Initiative, WIPA’s largest-ever presence, and dozens of live equipment launches. Now’s the time to secure flights, hotels, and plan your booth agenda.
🧠 Smarter Every Week
Bring sample jobs and an API checklist to vendor booths—verify real-world integration before committing to new workflow platforms.
Thanks for tuning into this week's Wide Format Brief! Stay connected for more industry news and insights to keep your business at the forefront of the printing world. Until next time, keep printing!