The Power of Trade Signage
In a market squeezed by rising costs and tighter timelines, trade partnerships are becoming a strategic tool for protecting profit and delivering quality at scale. Rob Fletcher finds out more
With this year’s FESPA in Barcelona offering six different co-locating shows, three conferences, and special features including the World Wrap Masters competition, it may be hard to know where to start when visiting. Thankfully SignLink is here to breakdown the 2026 offering
To say that this year’s FESPA event is potentially its biggest yet, might not be out of the realms of possibility, purely because of the number of features and sections this year’s show has.
While it is easy to get into the minutia of stand sizes, exhibition space, and visitor numbers, FESPA 2026 includes six events, three conferences, and special features including the World Wrap Masters competition – which all shows how the trade event space is changing. As sectors have changed, spending has altered, and value is needed from trips and expenditures more than ever, FESPA is addressing this with a ‘value for money’ exhibition.
Under the FESPA 2026 lineup is the usual FESPA Global Print Expo along with European Sign Expo, and the Personalisation Experience, both returning after runs in previous years. New for 2026 is the addition of WrapFest, which has previously held two iterations at Silverstone in the UK, as well as two brand-new shows: Corrugated and Textile.
Last year’s FESPA event reported total attendance of over 23,000 for the four-day show, with a total of 14,036 unique visitors, which surpassed 2024 figures by 10.5%. According to FESPA’s survey, 40% of attendees planned to invest in solutions when attending the 2024 show, with 87% of visitors holding decision-making positions.
Building on this success and looking to expand its reach into other territories (moving away from the more traditional Western European region), FESPA has chosen to hold its event at the Fire de Barcelona, in, you guessed it, Barcelona, Spain, which is the first time the exhibition is being held there since 2012.
To give you all the information ahead of this year’s show, we dive into the new show segments and give a preview of what you can expect upon visiting or when keeping up to date from home soil.
Continuing to become a prime location for solutions in wide-format, digital, signage, personalisation, packaging, and screen and textile printing, FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 is described by Michael Ryan, head of FESPA Global Print Expo, as a “directional meeting point for speciality printers and sign-makers”.
With speciality printers and sign-makers continuing to diversify and move into new and emerging markets, FESPA’s 2026 offering demonstrates the multiple areas and solutions printers and sign-makers can explore and invest into. As has been the case for the past few years, many well-known manufacturers and media providers have signed up, including Agfa, Durst, HP, Kongsberg, Roland, Epson, Caldera, Hexis, 3M, Mimaki, Kornit, Brother, Mutoh, EFI, and swissQprint.
The show this year is running under the strapline ‘The Place for Experts’ which Ryan says places the community front of mind. “Whether you’re an exhibitor, associations member, visitor, or part of the FESPA team, you are the experts and we’re confident that FESPA Global Print Expo and it’s co-located events will enable you to broaden your expertise.”
The thinking behind this year’s strapline is to set the tone for what visitors can expect by entering what Ryan calls an “environment where knowledge sharing and innovation are at the forefront.”
Talking about the approach in more detail, Ryan says: “Instead of simply showcasing products, FESPA 2026 will focus on highlighting insights from, and problem-solving for: print, signage, textile, and corrugated applications. Every hall is designed to offer experts in attendance with solutions to help their businesses work smarter and stay ahead of industry trends.
Instead of simply showcasing products, FESPA 2026 will focus on highlighting insights from, and problem-solving for: print, signage, textile, and corrugated applications
“The strapline highlights the strength of our community. Visitors will be able to connect with peers and suppliers who understand their challenges and can offer solutions. It shows that FESPA is a trusted place where experts can ask questions, explore innovations, and make confident investment decisions.”
One of FESPA’s focuses this year is on knowledge sharing, which has led to Keypoint Intelligence being announced as the Thought Leadership Partner for the exhibition; following the collaboration built with the two organisations in 2025.
The arrangement means that Keypoint Intelligence, which provides independent hands-on testing, lab data, and market research for the digital imaging industry, will contribute research and market insights to the event program.
When talking about the new additions that have been added to this year’s show, Ryan says that the FESPA federation has seen several different trends emerge, and businesses entering verticals such as apparel print, and corrugated packaging and display products.
Textile will focus on printed textiles including fashion, apparel, and interior décor, with experts on hands to share knowledge and exchange ideas. Ryan explains: “Attendees will have the opportunity to explore various textile-related technologies and consumables, including roll-to-roll machinery, direct-to-garment (DTG), and direct-to-fabric (DTF) machinery. Alongside this, throughout the Textile conference programme, delegates will hear from experts on topics such as enhancing productivity and efficiency, reducing operational impact, and waste reduction.”
With Textile looking to shine a light on the technologies, processes, and applications shaping printed textiles and garment decoration, many well-known and industry specific businesses have decided to attend along with other exhibitors which will showcase textile solutions across the entire show.
Companies like Epson, InkTec Europe, EFI, and Mimaki have been highlighted and positioned in largely the Global Print Expo part of the show (those mentioned being in Hall 3), but with proximity to the Textile event in order for those exhibitors to offer their crossover solutions for the textile and apparel markets.
When asked about the target audience for this show, Duncan MacOwan, head of Marketing and Events at FESPA, says: “The core audience for Textile includes producers of printed textiles for fashion, sportswear, leisurewear, workwear, soft signage, and interior décor. This also includes established screen and digital textile printers, DTG and DTF specialists, garment decorators, industrial print service providers (PSPs), transfer manufacturers, and any other print provider that would like to add textiles to their offering.”
MacOwan adds: “Ultimately, Textile offers the chance to meet key suppliers and production partners in one place, understand what is technically possible, and assess how digital, on-demand, and nearshore production can support their business.”
Brands specifically in the Textile section include STAHLS’, Kornit Digital, Roq, TRUJET, and Brother, which will offer a variety of decoration and printing solutions. Visitors can also see a range of screen printing solutions from the likes of Anatol, CST, Easiway, Exile Technologies, and Saati Iberica.
Also on offer will be a range of suppliers of inks, materials, and software solutions with names such as Fiery, Sun Chemical, MICC Coatings, and Crea8iveSkill on the floor plan. The Textile area is also combined/co-located with the Personalisation section which includes the likes of Antigro Designer, Design Huddle, and Innova Art.
Factoid: This year’s show takes place between May 19th and 22nd, at the Fire de Barcelona, Spain across Halls 2 and 3
Attendees will also be able to attend ‘The Conference’ which will cover areas of intelligent production and customisation. Speaking about the conference and integration with the Personalisation Experience, MacOwan says: “The Textile and Personalisation Experience conference will take place across four days of the show and will highlight insights such as how to improve productivity and efficiency, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact, and make better use of data and workflow automation across the textile production chain.”
Debbie McKeegan, chief executive officer of Texintel and FESPA’s textile ambassador, who has run many of FESPA’s textile-based offerings in recent years, adds: “FESPA Textile is providing a vital platform for the conversations that actually matter. We must confront the immediate challenges facing textile printers, whilst examining exactly how technology is being applied in the here and now.”
Discussing the Corrugated show, which will focus on corrugated packaging and point-of-sale display production, Ryan says the event will provide a platform for manufacturers of corrugated cardboard packaging and display solutions to meet suppliers of materials, machinery, workflow software, and other technologies.
Corrugated is a joint venture with Brunton Publications and will have 1,500sq m of hall space in Hall 3, and will offer visitors solutions in high-speed print, precision converting, sustainable substrates, robotics and automation, and more. The space is made for the “next generation of packaging manufacturing” as well as other corrugated applications.
Hardware manufacturer, BOBST has been announced as the overall event sponsor while Canon is a gold sponsor, and Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (PCS) is the bronze sponsor.
MacOwan says that the core audience for Corrugated includes corrugated board manufacturers, packaging converters, point-of-sale (POS) display producers, and senior decision makers involved in operations, production, innovation, and investment.
“It is also highly relevant for companies that produce 3D corrugated displays, brand owners working closely with converters, and PSPs looking to expand into packaging and display applications,” says MacOwan.
“The co-located format allows visitors to explore solutions beyond corrugated alone – including digital print, finishing, personalisation, and workflow technologies that increasingly overlap with corrugated applications.”
Nick Kirby, non-executive director at Zeus Packaging, and FESPA corrugated ambassador, says: “The corrugated industry is more advanced than ever before. That’s why this year is the perfect time for FESPA to have launched its inaugural Corrugated event.”
Exhibitors include Barberan, Hybrid Software, Ricoh Printing Solutions Europe, and Scodix. The area also has additional stands from exhibitors present in other areas of the show such as HP, Canon, and Koenig & Bauer Durst.
The event will also have the ‘Corrugated Theatre’ which will cover topics like EU packaging legislation, cyber security in the modern box plant, emerging opportunities offered by AI, the role of national and international trade associations, and more.
Kirby concludes: “I look forward to seeing an array of diverse solutions at the show – from next‑generation digital print and converting systems to low-impact materials that help packaging manufacturers, converters and brands to address their challenges. Corrugated really is set to be ‘The Place For Experts’”.
Another area of the show which has confirmed its exhibitor line-up for this year’s show is WrapFest which will run as part of FESPA 2026 for the first time.
Last year FESPA announced that WrapFest would no longer take place in the UK as a dedicated show and would instead be a part of the wider FESPA exhibition. The decision was a blow to UK events and the vehicle wrapping sector in the UK, although it does bolster FESPA’s European show and adds more value to those travelling overseas for the event.
WrapFest 2026 will take up more than 2,000sq m of exhibition space in Hall 2 of the Fire de Barcelona and will bring together global brands and specialists in films, adhesives, laminates, and surface wrapping solutions.
FESPA says that WrapFest visitors will also have the chance to see the latest printing and cutting technologies via brands like Epson, HP, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Roland, which will highlight their involvement in WrapFest from different parts of the exhibition.
Brands exhibiting at WrapFest itself include 3M, American Biltrite, Antalis International, APA Spa, Arlon Graphics, HEXIS, Lintec Europe, LX Hausys, Neschen Coating, Quantica, SIR Visual, and Space Tailor.
FESPA has also highlighted its range of knowledge-sharing experiences and demonstrations including its dedicated WrapTalks conference programme, as well as the high-energy World Wrap Masters competition, which has been a staple of FESPA exhibitions for over a decade. The Europe and Series Final will take place throughout the exhibition, which takes place between May 19th and 22nd, 2026.
On top of the show’s many feature areas and attractions, exhibitors will be bringing a wealth of technology and solutions, building on either past exhibitions, or bringing new solutions to the table.
Exhibiting for the first time at European Sign Expo is UK company Very Displays which will be on Stand 2-F57 in Hall 2. Kirsty Corcoran, marketing manager at Very comments: “Having walked the show for several consecutive years, 2026 marks an exciting milestone as we take to the exhibition floor as an official exhibitor.
“The event provides a valuable opportunity to showcase our products and services to a highly targeted audience of print professionals, resellers, and industry partners.”
FESPA is well aligned with Very as the company now has three established European logistics hubs which can serve EU customers, meaning FESPA is a great meeting place for Very to communicate is capabilities and distribution to potential customers.
Speaking about what customers can see, Corcoran says: “Visitors to Stand 2-F57 can explore our range of best-selling portable display solutions, including lightboxes, flags, café barriers, pavement signage, sustainable banners, and fabric displays. The team will be on hand throughout the event to provide live demonstrations, answer questions, and discuss tailored solutions designed to support growing reseller and print businesses.”
When it comes to why the company chose to exhibit, Corcoran says that FESPA provides an important opportunity to introduce customers to the brand, but also to reconnect with existing partners, strengthen relationships, and gain insights into evolving market trends. “We’re looking forward to Very Displays being part of the buzz as an exhibitor and welcoming visitors to Stand 2-F57 during the show,” adds Corcoran.
We’re looking forward to Very Displays being part of the buzz as an exhibitor and welcoming visitors to Stand 2-F57 during the show
When it comes to printing presses and hardware, FESPA will of course have a range of solutions on display from many of the businesses already mentioned like swissQprint, Epson, Mimaki, and Inkcups.
Fitting with its “Powerful by Nature” branding, Agfa is set to “gallop” into FESPA Barcelona this year with a wide array of solutions across hardware, software, and automation. Based on Stand D100 in Hall 3, Agfa will be displaying the fully automated Onset Panthera flatbed press which will be shown with its autoloader and unload robot alongside the Jeti Tauro H3300 UHS.
Set to make its European show debut is the Jet Bronco H3300 HS, a hybrid wide-format UV LED printer which bridges the gap between the Ciervo and Tauro range of printers. The system includes a seven-colour plus white ink set and is made to handle a broad range of media and can deliver versatility, productivity, and premium print quality.
The Stand will also feature solutions such as the Anapurna Ciervo H2500, as well as the latest release of Asanti workflow (v8) which includes more automation, smarter media handling, extended cutter support, improved colour rendering, and advanced job sorting and layout capabilities.
Based on Stand B140 in Hall 3, swissQprint will also be on hand to showcase how its Generation 5 flatbed printers can enable growth and push profitability. This year the company is highlighting its motto ‘Made for Winners – Loved by Thousands’ which is meant to reflect how users worldwide place their trust in Swiss-made products.
On the stand, visitors can experience the Kudu and Karibu 2 live in action, plus visitors can see the potential of neon prints and colour changing effects with its gallery of applications and large-format offerings.
Carmen Eicher, chief sales and marketing officer at swissQprint, says: “With flatbed Generation 5, we have the right solution for businesses all along the scale – from small operations to industrial production environments.”
Speaking of the presses on display, Eicher says: “Two flatbed sizes, tiered productivity levels up to 341 m²/h, and modular expandability make these systems a secure, scalable investment.”
Elsewhere will be solutions for diversification such as Inkcups, which will be showcasing products from its direct-to-object product portfolio including the X5-T High Throw flatbed UV digital printer which debuted at FESPA 2025, as well as the Helix ONE benchtop cylindrical DTO printer. The company can be found of Stand B39 in Hall 3.
Other notable exhibitors include PLASTGrommet (Stands A141 and A145, Hall 3) which is building on its success and new releases from 2025, as well as eurolaser which will be focusing on large-format laser systems, intelligent camera technology, and automated solutions on Stand A140 in Hall 3.
Finally, Epson will be showcasing a raft of solutions that cover many of the different areas of this year’s show, including solutions for textile and dye-sublimation, DTF and DTG, signage, and UV printing.
Exhibiting on Stand C75, Epson will have a “major focus” on textile and will preview two upcoming dye-sublimation developments which will be unveiled formally in early May, including a new compact, desktop dye sublimation printer made for businesses to produce small, personalised items, and short-run products.
Epson will also features its recently announced SureColor SC-V4000 A1+ UV flatbed printer, which expands its UV offering and supports applications including fine art, photography, and signage. Other products including the SC-G9000 and SC-G6000 DTF printers, as well as the SC-V4000 UV printer.
So, whether you are looking to explore new markets like textile print, corrugated packaging, or vinyl wrapping – it’s clear that FESPA 2026 hopes to have a bit of everything you may desire.
The new events are testament to an evolving industry, and as stated at the start of this feature, gives real value for money for visitors, something particularly important not just for events, but also for those looking to invest in new machinery, software, or consumables, due to the pressures on costs and logistics everyone is currently facing.
To find out more about what you can experience when visiting Barcelona, you can check out this edition’s Adventures in Sign Painting on pages 31 to 33, or you can read about hardware from other FESPA exhibitors in this issue’s Under the Hood (pages 19 to 20) or our feature on flatbed printers (pages 50 to 53).
