WHY ARE LIVE WORKSHOPS SO POWERFUL? WE INTERVIEW JASON BURROUGHS OF PERFECT COLOURS TO FIND OUT MORE
“During the pandemic our customers had to pivot and were busy in particular areas like floor-graphics but I believe the industry is still recovering and looking to plan ahead. I also believe a lot of our customers are looking at new business revenues and look to digital technologies for growth.” Jason Burroughs - Perfect Colours
LIVE Events are definitely back in play and here to stay, two years without them has restored their place as a firm fixture in our industries calendar.
They support and connect the print community by providing a window of opportunity - where networking and the transfer of knowledge go hand-in-hand.
Localised events are even more powerful and offer the visitor an exclusive opportunity to meet with industry experts and specialist application specialists in the privacy of the demonstration centre. Perfect Colours recently held a practical workshop at their Sheffield offices where industry experts, application specialists and staff were on hand to provide an in depth, deep dive into HP digital printing technologies.
Visitors were also offered a series of short presentations that highlighted new technologies, market trends and applications in an informal, conversational setting. The short-talks series delivered essential learning regardless of print sector, with signage, décor and textile customers on-site and all attending to expand their expertise and knowledge of digital equipment, manufacturing technologies and commercial applications.
We asked Jason Burroughs, Managing Director of Perfect Colours why their workshops offer the visitor such a valuable experience?
“Perfect Colours customers are always looking to push existing boundaries, to explore new frontiers and to extend creativity. Our workshops deliver expert knowledge and practical expertise with HP applications specialists on-site”.
“The pandemic has affected every business in some way, naturally this has changed the way people think about printing. Our customers are looking for efficiencies - ways to print more intelligently. Customers must now focus on the implementation of software and hardware to expand their production capacity.”
“During the pandemic our customers had to pivot and were busy in particular areas like floor-graphics but I believe the industry is still recovering and looking to plan ahead. I also believe a lot of our customers are looking at new business revenues and look to digital technologies for growth.”
“Digital innovations deliver new growth opportunities for our customers and HP latex technologies allow us to print on an unbelievable range of substrates especially in the decor market.”
“Wallpapers, fabrics, blinds and drapes, the list is endless and there are always new and exciting possibilities to share with the Latex technology series. The inks are water-based containing no harmful chemicals which makes the technology ideal for indoor applications. Especially the decor marketplace when displaying prints in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals for example. Our customers can access new markets for a minimal investment using HP equipment”.
“Working with the HP latex series offers the printer an incredibly versatile printing machine, the inks sit on top of the material offering infinite media choices and numerous applications. Added to that, HP have a full range of rigid and roll-to-roll devices within their portfolio to suit customer requirements. Here in the demo centre customers often ask us to trial new materials - often substrates that no other manufacturer or printing device would even attempt.”
“Last but not least - Environmental efficiency is important to our customers. HP offer a series of sustainable technologies. Printing with people and the planet in mind is very important in today’s marketplace and our workshops are designed to impart valuable knowledge and signpost new business opportunities in a private, relaxed format.”
If you missed the last workshop, be sure to keep an eye out for the next. Being on-site with industry experts and HP technicians is a valuable experience for sure.
Keep in touch with Perfect Colours here:
Lutterworth, UK – June 2026 – Advance Print Solutions has expanded its wide-format production capacity with the installation of an HP Latex 830W, supplied by Perfect Colours Ltd.
The investment is designed to boost throughput, broaden the company's range of applications and support continued growth as demand rises.
The Lutterworth-based print, signage and graphics specialist worked closely with Perfect Colours, which carried out a consultative review of workflow, job mix and growth plans before recommending the device. T
London - June 2026 – Perfect Colours, a leading printing solutions provider, is set to host the highly anticipated Perfect Colours and HP Discovery Event in Scotland on the 7th and 8th of July.
This event will provide industry professionals with an exclusive opportunity to witness the latest advancements in sustainable print technology, directly addressing the growing demand for eco-conscious innovation in the sector.
Attendees will have the unique chance to see the new HP Latex R530 in action, alongside the cutting-edge Latex 730W.
Pennsylvania – USA - April 2026 – HP Large Format has announced that Wallquest Wallcovering has significantly expanded its digital production capacity by installing four new HP Latex FS70 W Printer systems at its manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
This strategic investment builds upon Wallquest's already robust fleet of HP Latex technology, underscoring a deep-rooted partnership founded on trust, continuous innovation, and a shared commitment to advancing the wallcovering industry.
By integrating these state-of-the-art printing systems, Wallquest Wallcovering reports an estimated 30 per cent improvement in overall performance.
March 2026 – HP Graphic Arts has announced that the HP Latex R530 Printer has been awarded the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 by iF Design.
This accolade highlights the printer's exceptional achievements in innovation, usability, and design excellence, reinforcing the company's position at the forefront of the global graphic arts industry.
The iF DESIGN AWARD is internationally recognised as one of the most important design prizes in the world.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Penrith & Carlisle, UK – Independent print, signage and digital agency Reeds has invested close to £200,000 in new production technology, led by the installation of an HP Latex R2000 hybrid flatbed printer.
Completed one year after a management buyout, the investment also includes a Trotec laser cutter and a DS-85i folder inserter, strengthening the company’s wide-format, finishing and mail fulfilment capability.
London, United Kingdom – 04 February 2025 – HP has unveiled its latest innovations in architectural and construction technology at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) AI Summit today.
The showcase highlighted how artificial intelligence is reshaping the design and build landscape, featuring a comprehensive suite of HP solutions designed to enable design innovation and transform traditional workflows.
Palo Alto California : February 3rd 2026 – HP Inc. has today announced a significant leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of innovation and growth.
Enrique Lores has stepped down from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer to pursue a new professional opportunity.
Simultaneously, the HP Board of Directors has appointed Bruce Broussard as Interim CEO, effective immediately
Singapore, January 2026- Botak Sign Pte Ltd, a leading large-format print provider in Singapore, has completed a major infrastructure upgrade with the installation of fifteen HP Latex 830 and two HP Latex 830W printers, upgrading from previous-generation Latex devices.
Introduced earlier this year as an expansion of HP’s large-format portfolio, the HP Latex 730 & 830 series is designed to deliver high-value output with consistent quality, enhance productivity and costs for small and medium-sized Print Shops (PSPs) while continuing to differentiate with a sustainability edge.
January 2026 – Trade Signs UK has announced a significant expansion of its production capabilities with the installation of the HP Latex 830W printer.
This strategic investment is a direct response to surging market demand, allowing the company to scale its capacity while maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability that define its reputation in the large-format printing industry.
Building upon a solid foundation of three years successfully operating the HP Latex 800W, the addition of the 830W model marks a pivotal step in the company’s growth strategy.
January 2026 - HP Graphic Arts has reaffirmed its commitment to the large-format printing industry today by spotlighting the transformative capabilities of its HP Latex technology.
This strategic initiative aims to unite cutting-edge technology with creative potential, enabling print service providers to elevate brands and propel their businesses forward in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
By focusing on the intersection of innovation and application, HP is fulfilling its promise to turn every print project into a tangible step toward commercial growth and environmental responsibility.
The renewed focus on HP Latex technology addresses a critical shift in the graphic arts sector, where versatility and sustainability are no longer optional but essential for survival.
London, United Kingdom – December 2025 – Perfect Colours, a leading large format print specialist, is calling upon the print and retail industries to elevate their visual communication strategies ahead of the critical holiday trading period.
As competition for consumer attention intensifies, the company is highlighting the strategic importance of deploying HP Latex White Ink technology to create high-impact, sustainable signage that secures distinct market visibility.
In a retail landscape that is becoming increasingly crowded, the ability to produce vivid, high-opacity graphics on a variety of substrates is paramount for brands seeking to make a lasting impression.
"The launch of the HP Latex FS70 W has been nothing short of exceptional," said Daniel Martinez, SVP & Division President for HP Large Format Printing. "What stands out most is how quickly customers have embraced the modularity of the system, the ability to scale capabilities as their workflow evolves, along with the remarkable colour consistency and the stunning image quality delivered by our water-based HP Latex inks at unprecedented speed. It’s clear that this combination is resonating deeply with print service providers who want both performance and flexibility without compromise."
Slough December 2025 – The Big Display Company has announced a significant upgrade to its production line with the installation of a new HP Stitch S1000 printer, supplied by Papergraphics.
This strategic investment is set to enhance both productivity and print quality, enabling the business to successfully expand its operations into the demanding high-profile events sector.
Liverpool, UK – November 2025 – HP Graphic Arts today announced the successful installation of a third HP Latex printer, the HP Latex R1000, at Signs Express Liverpool & Wirral.
This strategic investment marks a significant step in the franchise's ongoing expansion and commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative printing solutions to its growing client base.
Led by Ian Furlong and Louise Sergent, the team at Signs Express Liverpool & Wirral has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to business growth.
The addition of the HP Latex R1000, known for its versatility and superior print quality on both rigid and flexible materials, follows
November 2025 – HP has declared that its Latex FS70 W Printer, is positioned as the market's most productive superwide Latex printing solution.
Designed to address the evolving needs of high-volume print service providers, this new machine is built on a unique scalable platform that allows businesses to expand their capabilities seamlessly.
With the ability to boost productivity by up to 30 per cent in key applications, the FS70 W represents a significant leap forward in industrial printing efficiency.
Orlando October 2025– HP Inc. successfully concluded its participation at the PRINTING United Expo 2025, where it showcased a unified portfolio of its digital printing solutions.
The event provided a platform for HP to demonstrate its industry leadership and engage with customers on key trends shaping the future of print, including intelligent automation, sustainability, and productivity.
At Booth #4249, HP Digital Print and HP Large Format joined forces to present a comprehensive "HP Industrial Print" experience.
Visitors engaged with an Interactive Screen Experience, which allowed them to explore the full range of HP's portfolio.
15 October 2025 – Today, HP announced the launch of three major innovations for Large Format Print Service Providers (PSPs), the HP Latex FS70 W Printer, the HP Latex Productivity Kit, and an enhanced HP PrintOS Production Hub.
These additions extend what has already been a milestone year for HP, following the Spring launches of the HP Latex R530 Printer and the HP Latex 730 and HP Latex 830 Printer Series.
Together, these solutions reinforce HP’s leadership in large format printing, delivering scalable innovation, sustainable, high-quality design and streamlined end-to-end workflows that empower PSPs to thrive in the evolving future of work
MX Display has been using the HP Stitch device to produce work across a range of polyester-based materials including blockout, backlit, flag, and air-mesh fabrics.
As the company prints onto transfer paper, this also gives it the flexibility to sublimate onto bespoke materials such as stretch fabrics, carpets, luxury velvets, and suede-type textiles, thus opening up an array of creative and custom branding opportunities for its customers.
October 2025 -HP Inc. has announced an exclusive virtual event to unveil its latest breakthrough in HP Latex printing technology.
The company will showcase cutting-edge innovations designed to transform printing performance whilst advancing sustainable business practices across the graphics arts industry.
Scheduled for October 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM CET (10:00 AM EST), the virtual launch event promises to reveal HP's newest capabilities in latex printing technology.
The announcement represents HP's continued commitment to pushing industry boundaries through responsible innovation that addresses evolving business demands
Crawley, West Sussex – September 2025 – Papergraphics has announced its official entry as an HP Stitch channel partner, expanding its offerings in the textile printing market.
This new partnership is marked by the installation of the HP Stitch S1000 super-wide dye-sublimation printer at the company’s newly updated Customer Experience Centre in Crawley.
HP has announced that it will showcase its new HP Latex R530 all-in-one printer for the first time in the UK at this year’s edition of The Sign Show.
A versatile, all-in-one printer, the new machine can print in high quality across a wide range of applications, including both indoor and outdoor signage.
Visitors to both The Sign Show and co-located The Print Show can see the printer in action from September 23rd to 25th at the NEC.
September 10th 2025 – HP Inc. has announced it will host an exclusive webinar on October 7th, 2025, to demonstrate how the HP Latex 730 and 830 Printer series can transform printing businesses.
The online event will provide attendees with expert insights into leveraging HP’s latest technology to expand their services and gain a competitive edge.
HP has announced that it will showcase its new HP Latex R530 all-in-one printer for the first time in the UK at this year’s edition of The Sign Show.
A versatile, all-in-one printer, the new machine can print in high quality across a wide range of applications, including both indoor and outdoor signage.
Visitors to both The Sign Show and co-located The Print Show can see the printer in action from September 23rd to 25th at the NEC.
The story of what happens when young designers access digital technology is still being written.
What once was a theoretical sustainability goal seems to have shifted into an active regulatory reality.
Is the Textile Market Finally Recovering?
After a difficult few years, there are genuine reasons for optimism. Duncan was candid about the challenges: "The market for textiles has been very difficult over the last three years. I'm not going to hide the truth there. But the tide is turning.“
A profound shift is currently reshaping the sector
Changing consumer expectations demand greater design diversity, faster turnaround times, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
To thrive, interior brands must adapt their supply chains, bringing production closer to the end consumer and moving away from bulk manufacturing.
Digital textile printing offers a definitive solution to these operational bottlenecks.
Digital transformation doesn't announce itself.
It accumulates - one innovation at a time - until an entire industry looks back and realises the ground has shifted beneath its feet. That's precisely where textiles stands today.
The conversations happening now about AI, automation, sustainability, and digital product passports are not theoretical. They are shaping decisions being made on factory floors and in boardrooms right now.
“By leveraging advanced digital textile printing, Marylene Madou has successfully merged traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Her approach offers a blueprint for how independent designers can scale their brands globally while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.”
From Helsinki's printing mill to Paris's Le Marais, discover how Marimekko is scaling a design-led brand with purpose, craft, and bold innovation.
But what makes Marimekko's story compelling is not just its aesthetic legacy?
The textile industry is undergoing a vital transformation. As the insights from Techtextil and Texprocess reveal, the path forward relies on a combination of sustainable hardware, intelligent chemistry, and seamless digital workflows.
From Zimmer's industrial-scale energy reductions and Stratasys's on-demand 3D embellishments, to Kornit's single-step technical printing and the unified digital ecosystems of NedGraphics and Optitex, the tools for change are here. To stay competitive, brands and manufacturers must adopt these innovations, moving away from fragmented, wasteful processes towards a truly connected, circular economy.
Friedmans stands as a testament to the power of combining traditional textile knowledge with forward-thinking innovation.
“Operating from their UK headquarters, Friedmans now serves a diverse array of sectors, including swimwear, dance, entertainment, sportswear, interior decor, prosthetics, and even pet apparel. With a strategic supply chain that reliably serves clients worldwide”
The apparel decoration industry is decisively moving away from isolated, analogue production tools toward connected digital manufacturing environments.
"Kornit’s unwavering commitment to transformative technology continues to disrupt the status quo. For business leaders and innovators ready to capture the future of apparel manufacturing, the path forward is clear”
The Urgent Need for Sustainability at Scale
The transformation at Coats provides a vital blueprint for the wider textile and apparel sector. True sustainability cannot be achieved in silos. As Dearing emphasised:
“Cross-industry collaboration is the engine of meaningful change. Brands, machinery suppliers, chemical providers, and fibre producers must act as an interconnected ecosystem”
Today’s customers demand superior product quality, real-time data visibility, and lightning-fast turnaround times.
For large-scale garment decorators, managing these expectations while balancing seasonal demand fluctuations - such as the massive surges seen during Black Friday - presents a monumental challenge.
"Relying on transactional vendor relationships and outdated legacy equipment is no longer sufficient to secure long-term stability and growth.”
Printing method is never a secondary detail. It shapes the entire life cycle of a product, from concept to customer. In today’s fashion industry, where margins are tighter and speed matters more than ever, technical knowledge has become a competitive advantage.
“The future of textile design belongs to professionals who can combine creativity with execution, aesthetics with practicality, and vision with production reality”.
Are we witnessing the reinvention of Merch driven by adaptive, digital technologies?
The commercial opportunity presented by printed, personalised merchandise is already a lucrative revenue stream; it is the core driver of growth in a multi-billion-pound industry. And the mandate for print businesses is clear: automate, adapt, and offer undeniable added value, or choose to gradually lose market share.
Powderless DTF is an important area of innovation. It deserves research, investment, and thoughtful development.
“But at its current stage, it often feels like the industry is attempting to commercialize the concept ahead of the underlying chemistry and system readiness”.
All Apparel Manufacturers face an Urgent Mandate: “Automate or be Left Behind”.
Industry leaders like Super Nova Sports and Ryozo International were struggling with severe pre-press bottlenecks and unsustainable fabric waste. By integrating AI Sublimation Software into their workflows, these forward-thinking businesses eliminated manual variable data entry, boosted fabric efficiency to over 80%, and reduced delivery times by more than half, establishing a highly profitable, agile, and environmentally responsible production model.
The Future of Manufacturing belongs to those who Embrace Connected Digital Ecosystems
“Whether you produce garments, car interiors, or home furnishings, the transition from creative concept to production-ready product often remains fragmented. Design teams work tirelessly to develop compelling materials, yet technical teams struggle to interpret these visions without losing data along the way.”
The European digital wallcovering marketplace is expanding at an impressive rate.
“For print professionals and interior designers, this transition presents a distinct set of challenges. Achieving flawless colour consistency, managing complex substrates, and meeting stringent environmental standards are no longer optional extras; they are fundamental requirements for commercial success.”
If you're looking to optimize your website for AI search, hang onto your cowboy hat. It's the Wild West out there. Former (and current) SEO companies see the handwriting on the wall as more search moves from traditional SEO to AEO (answer engine optimisation). Opportunists are popping out of the woodwork.
(There are good options out there, but vet them carefully.)
A swimsuit might start life as a sketch. By the time it reaches the shop floor, dozens of hands have touched it - designers, dye houses, printers, trim manufacturers, quality controllers. Each one interprets colour in their own way, under their own conditions, with their own tools. The result is often a product that looks nothing like the original vision.