printconnect podcast

Robotics, Digital Print & the Future of Packaging Production

In this episode of printconnect, we explore one of the fastest-evolving areas of specialist printing – the growing role of robotics and automation across print and packaging production. Joining the podcast are Mark Boyt, Principal Analyst for Production Workflow Software at Keypoint Intelligence, and Marc Mascara, Principal Analyst for Labels & Packaging. Together, the discussion explores how rising production pressures, labour challenges, SKU variation, and increasing demand for faster turnaround are accelerating interest in robotics and digital print technologies. The conversation also examines the growing convergence between workflow automation, robotics, AI, digital print, packaging production, and fulfilment – and why these technologies are no longer evolving in isolation. Topics covered include: * Why robotics adoption is accelerating across print * The results of Keypoint Intelligence’s robotics industry survey * Labour challenges and automation pressures * Packaging production and increasing SKU complexity * Why digital print is well suited to high-variation production * Robotics integration across handling, finishing, and manufacturing * Workflow integration and removing production silos * The future of automated packaging and fulfilment environments * Insights from upcoming FESPA sessions Whether you work in commercial print, packaging, industrial print, or production workflow, this episode offers valuable insight into where the industry is heading – and why staying close to these developments is becoming increasingly important.

Nozzle Health: The Next Step in Industrial Inkjet Reliability

As industrial inkjet moves into higher-value and higher-volume production environments, reliability and uptime are becoming just as important as speed and resolution. One of the most critical – and often overlooked – factors behind that reliability is nozzle health. In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Jonathan Wilson, Vice President of Sales at Meteor Inkjet, to explore how nozzle monitoring and control technologies are evolving and what that means for the future of industrial inkjet systems. Jonathan explains why even a single misfiring nozzle can have a significant impact on productivity and sellable output when running high-resolution presses at industrial speeds. He also discusses how new approaches to monitoring nozzle behaviour in near real time could transform how printbars are diagnosed, maintained and optimised during production. The conversation explores the technical challenges of managing thousands of nozzles across modern printheads, the role of drive electronics and waveform control, and how nozzle health technology could support applications ranging from high-speed label and packaging production to additive manufacturing and printed electronics.

Piezoelectric Ink and the Future of Intelligent Surfaces

In this episode of printconnect, we explore how functional inks are redefining what a printed surface can do. Jérémy Flageul, Sales Director at VFP Ink Technologies, joins us to discuss the development of piezoelectric ink technology and the shift from adding electronic components to printing functionality directly into structures. We examine: – What makes printed electronics commercially viable today  – How piezoelectric ink integrates sensing into surfaces  – The industrial benefits of PFAS-free formulations  – Applications in automotive, wearables and haptic interfaces  – Realistic timelines for mainstream adoption As surfaces evolve from passive elements into intelligent systems, materials science is reshaping manufacturing, integration and design possibilities. To learn more about VFP Ink Technologies and their work in functional inks and printed electronics, visit: 🌐 https://www.vfp-ink-technologies.com [https://www.vfp-ink-technologies.com]

Industrial Print in Europe – Regulation, Innovation and the Rise of Printed Electronics

Europe’s industrial print sector is under pressure – but it’s also evolving fast. In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA, to unpack the forces shaping industrial and functional printing across Europe. From printed electronics and biomedical applications to automation, sustainability regulation and the impact of the EU’s Green Deal, we explore how European printers are responding to rising productivity expectations, tighter environmental requirements and global competition. We discuss: * Why Europe is leading in printed electronics and functional printing * How regulation – from RoHS to the Digital Product Passport – is acting as a catalyst for innovation * The shift from traditional screen printing to high-tech, cleanroom-based production * Automation and the evolution of the operator’s role * Growth segments over the next 3–5 years, including biomedical and pharmaceutical print * What’s next for ESMA and the European industrial print community If you want a clear view of where European industrial print is heading – and how it compares globally – this is essential listening.

Inside Keypoint Intelligence: Trends, Technology and What’s Next for Print

In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Anthony Sci, from Keypoint Intelligence, to explore how data, insight and automation are increasingly shaping decision-making across the print industry. The conversation looks at how print businesses can better use data to understand market trends, evaluate technologies and plan investment strategies in an increasingly complex and fast-moving landscape. Anthony shares perspectives on where digital and industrial print are heading, the role of automation and software in improving efficiency, and how intelligence-led decision-making is becoming a competitive advantage for printers and suppliers alike. We also discuss how market insight is evolving alongside new technologies, what print service providers should be paying attention to right now, and how organisations can cut through noise to focus on what genuinely delivers value. A forward-looking discussion for anyone navigating technology choices and long-term strategy in specialist printing.