INSIGHTS: Duncan Ferguson of EPSON - The Printing Industry’s Future is being shaped by Technology, Sustainability, and Talent
Insights from Our Interview with Duncan Ferguson at the Epson Innovation Centre.
“The global printing industry is at a pivotal moment of transformation, with digital technology, sustainability, and new generations of talent reshaping the landscape…”
To explore these exciting changes, we spoke with Duncan Ferguson, Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Printing at Epson, during a live Texintel interview.
Duncan shared invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities the industry faces, as well as the role Epson is playing in this evolution. Watch the interview here >>
The global printing industry is at a pivotal moment of transformation, with digital technology, sustainability, and new generations of talent reshaping the landscape. To explore these exciting changes, we spoke with Duncan Ferguson, Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Printing at Epson, during a live Texintel interview. Ferguson shared invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities the industry faces, as well as the role Epson is playing in this evolution.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
Epson’s Innovation Centre in the Midlands
The Midlands has become home to Epson’s innovative new hub for digital printing technology. Purpose-built to demonstrate, test, and train, the centre is a space where professionals, customers, service agents, and students can explore the possibilities of digital printing.
The centre also serves as an incubator for fresh applications and ideas, reflecting Epson’s commitment to advancing technology across markets, from fashion to commercial fabric printing.
Highlight: Nottingham Trent University students have already been integrated into this initiative, working on hands-on design briefs that leverage Epson’s cutting-edge printing tech.
Empowering Young Talent is Non-Negotiable
Ferguson emphasised the vital need to attract and invest in younger generations to energise the industry. With many veteran professionals retiring, the printing sector must engage a younger workforce, bringing fresh energy, entrepreneurship, and digital fluency to the table.
“Digital technology, particularly in textiles, is still a rapidly growing market, and who better to maximise its potential than young talent ready to innovate?”
Call to Action: Companies, universities, and industry innovators must actively collaborate to create environments where young creatives thrive.
The Great Digital Shift
The printing industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, moving away from traditional analogue methods towards state-of-the-art, digitally-driven solutions. Epson’s print technology, including DTG (Direct-To-Garment), DTF (Direct-to-Film ) Direct to Fabric and Sublimation printers, exemplifies this evolution. These advancements allow businesses to customise, personalise, and scale their printing operations with precision and efficiency.
One notable highlight is the Monna Lisa direct fabric print solution, a flagship offering that enables high-quality digital textile printing. Although not currently housed in the Midlands centre, it signifies the advanced capabilities available to textile businesses worldwide.
Sustainability and Re-shoring Production
“The industry’s move towards sustainability is not just an option; it’s a necessity”. Ferguson pointed out that reshoring production to Europe is becoming increasingly critical, offering the dual benefits of reducing supply chain emissions and enabling on-demand production to minimise waste.
“Italy’s Como region, with over 90% of textile printing now digital, serves as a powerful example of how reshoring fosters both efficiency and environmental responsibility.”
Ferguson underscored the importance of reshoring in creating opportunities for manual textile production and generating local economic growth.
The Future of Printing is Bright
The printing industry stands as a fertile ground for entrepreneurial visionaries who can combine technical expertise with the drive to innovate. From sustainability-focused ventures to advanced digital printing applications, there are opportunities aplenty for young professionals and startups to make their mark.
“The next generation will be critical to powering the evolution of this industry,” Duncan Ferguson remarked.
To flourish in the digital era, businesses and professionals must remain adaptable, continuously learning and adopting the latest technologies.
Why These Insights Matter to You
For printing professionals, young entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and creatives, Duncan Ferguson’s perspective offers a “roadmap to thrive” in a rapidly evolving industry. By leveraging advanced tools, focusing on sustainability, and engaging with younger talent, the sector can continue to evolve responsibly, ensuring profitability and relevance for decades to come.
Final Thoughts
The printing industry’s future is being shaped by technology, sustainability, and talent. Epson’s commitment to these pillars is clear, as reflected in their innovation centre and ongoing initiatives to engage and empower the next generation.
If you’re looking to pioneer solutions in this exciting space or learn how your business can adapt using Epson’s technology, now is the time to step forward. Stay curious, drive innovation, and be part of the transformation.
Explore Epson’s technologies and discover how they can fuel your business's growth and sustainability goals.
