Sustainably Produced Print Highlighted As The 2023 FESPA Awards Open For Registration
The FESPA Awards 2023 are now open to print service providers (PSPs) and sign-makers looking to highlight their outstanding examples of print.
The FESPA Awards are the only independent print industry awards, renowned throughout the world of print and signage, as the place where industry standards are set, and the very best printers showcase their talent, contributions, and creativity.
Each year, we receive hundreds of outstanding entries covering 18 speciality categories, which are judged and shortlisted by our panel of experts - who in turn have contributed significant advances to the techniques and technology across the industry.
The FESPA Awards, which are presented on the show floor during the FESPA 2023 exhibition in Munich, recognise the skill and workmanship of the shortlisted entries, providing a vibrant and creative display to inspire visitors, providing an opportunity to discover new perspectives and ways in which to enhance their business offerings.
This year, FESPA has added a new category to zone in on sustainably produced applications. This award will be judged across all categories against environmental considerations, including a reduction in the use of materials, energy and labour throughout production; whether the product can be reused or recycled; if notable attention has been paid to lifecycle analysis; and whether the entry is economically viable.
Graeme Richardson-Locke, FESPA’s Head of Associations and Technical Lead, comments: “As the demand for sustainable production and strong environmental credentials is rising in the industries we represent, printers and sign-makers are having to rethink their production practices, reduce waste and reuse/recycle materials. As a result of this, we are seeing more and more products with a focus on sustainable production come to market. Sustainability has been at the top of the agenda for FESPA for quite some time now and, by introducing the Sustainability Award, we want to highlight the incredible talent of companies who are driving change in this area.”
The FESPA Awards will also welcome entries into the following categories:
· Display and POP on Paper and Board
· Packaging on Paper and Board
· Display and POP on Plastic
· Packaging on Plastics
· Posters
· Serigraphies and Fine Art
· Decals and Printed Labels
· Wrapping
· Creative Special Effects – Paper Board and Plastics
· Special Effects on T-shirts, Garments and Other Textiles
· Printed Garments
· Roll-to-Roll Printed Textiles
· Glass, Ceramic, Metal and Wood Products
· Direct Printing on Three Dimensional Products
· Non-Printed Signage
· Functional Printing – Fascias, Dials, Name plates
· Printeriors
The final category is the Young Star Award, which can be entered by those aged 16 to 25 working as a vocational trainee or student in digital or screen printing and design. Entrants can enter this award by submitting work in any of the print related categories.
There will not be a cost to enter the Young Star category and the prize for the winner is €1,000.
In addition to the Sustainability Award, there are three further Awards that all entrants are automatically considered for.
The People’s Choice Award is voted for by FESPA’s online community across all categories and voting for this award will be open from 13 February 2023.
The Best in Show Award and the Judges Award for Innovation are chosen by the FESPA Awards judges.
For printers and sign-makers looking to enter the 2023 Awards, entries must be submitted by Wednesday 25 January 2023.
The shortlisted entries will be announced on Monday 13 March and will be displayed at FESPA Global Print Expo 2023, which takes place from 23 to 26 May at Messe Munich, Germany.
Entry is €100 per entry for members or €150 per entry for non-members. For more information on the FESPA Awards 2023 and how to participate visit: www.fespaawards.com
About FESPA
Founded in 1962, FESPA is a global federation of Associations for the screen printing, digital printing and textile printing community.
FESPA’s dual aim is to promote screen printing and digital imaging and to share knowledge about screen and digital printing with its members across the world, helping them to grow their businesses and learn about the latest developments in their fast growing industries.
FESPA Profit for Purpose
Profit for Purpose is FESPA’s international reinvestment programme, which uses revenue from FESPA events to support the global speciality print community to achieve sustainable and profitable growth through four key pillars - education, inspiration, expansion and connection.
The programme delivers high quality products and services for printers worldwide, including market research, seminars, summits, congresses, educational guides and features, in addition to supporting grassroots projects in developing markets.
Forthcoming FESPA events include:
· FESPA Mexico 2022, 22 – 24 September 2022, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City
· FESPA Eurasia 2022, 1 – 4 December 2022, IFM - Istanbul Expo Center, Istanbul, Turkey
· FESPA Brasil 2023, 20 – 23 March 2023, Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brasil
· Wrap Fest 2023, 26 – 27 April 2023 at Silverstone racecourse, Northamptonshire, UK
· FESPA Global Print Expo 2023, 23 – 26 May 2023, Messe Munich, Munich, Germany
· European Sign Expo 2023, 23 – 26 May 2023, Messe Munich, Munich, Germany
· FESPA Global Print Expo 2024, 19 – 22 March 2024, RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
· European Sign Expo 2024, 19 – 22 March 2024, RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
· Sportswear Pro 2024, 19 – 22 March 2024, RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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.
London UK – July – 2026 – British digital fabric printing company Prinfab has been commissioned to produce a commemorative tea towel to celebrate the landmark birthday of iconic English fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
The bespoke piece features hand-drawn self-portraits of nearly 800 members of his team, making it a truly unique tribute to one of Britain's most celebrated designers.
The tea towel, gifted to Sir Paul Smith by his team, showcases the creative spirit that has long defined the Paul Smith brand.
Manchester – August 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles today highlights its 2555 Dimout, a versatile, dual-purpose fabric designed to bridge the worlds of fashion and interior design.
With its distinctive silver finish and subtle sheen, the fabric is positioned as a premium material for designers and makers operating across both industries.
2555 Dimout features a smooth silver surface that lends itself naturally to elegant occasionwear, flowing garments, and bold statement pieces.
Its fluid drape and refined aesthetic make it particularly well-suited to summer collections, where lightness and visual impact are equally valued.
Oswestry – Shropshire – August 2026 - Fujifilm Ink, the UK-based global supplier of UV inkjet technology, has strengthened its partnership with China Print Supplies UK Ltd (CPS), becoming the recognised ink supplier for the company's range of Dlican UV printing systems.
The partnership follows the successful rollout of Fujifilm Ink's thermoforming flexible ink technology, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering high-performance, application-specific ink solutions for the wide-format print market.
Birmingham, UK – July 2026 – swissQprint UK is set to exhibit at The Print Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC in Birmingham, Great Britain.
Visitors can find the swissQprint UK team at Stand P420, where they will have the opportunity to experience the company's latest flatbed printing technology firsthand.
Paris, France – August 2026 – Optitex and NedGraphics will present their integrated design and manufacturing solutions at Première Vision Paris, taking place from 1st to 3rd September 2026 at Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte, France.
Visitors can find the companies at Booth 3L11 in Hall 3, Smart Creation Area.
The joint appearance marks a significant opportunity for textile brands and manufacturers to experience first-hand how NedGraphics and Optitex deliver a unified workflow — one that connects textile design, colour refinement, and end product development within a single, seamless process.
Emmerich am Rhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen – August 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA has announced the launch of its GTX300, a hybrid direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) garment printer that the company says sets a new benchmark for textile print quality.
To mark the occasion, Brother Industrial EMEA is offering eligible print professionals across the EMEA region a complimentary demo package to experience the printer's capabilities firsthand.
FREMONT, CA. August , 2026 – Fiery, a global leader in digital printing technology, has announced the launch of a new free online course designed to help print professionals master colour management for direct-to-film (DTF), direct-to-garment (DTG), and UV printing workflows.
The course, Fiery Specialty Production 301 v1: Colour Management Basics in Digital Factory, is now available on Fiery's learning platform at no cost.
Geretsried, Bavaria, August 2026 – RUDOLF, a leading textile chemistry company, has announced the launch of its Summer Campaign, a dedicated series exploring advanced finishing technologies designed to enhance the performance, comfort, and protection of swimwear and summer apparel.
The campaign arrives at a time when the demands placed on modern swimwear are greater than ever. Prolonged sun exposure, repeated contact with water, and the physical demands of summer activities require textiles that go beyond attractive design.
RUDOLF's Summer Campaign aims to demonstrate how the right finishing technologies can meet these challenges head-on.
Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the launch of the Italian Lounge, a dedicated exhibition space celebrating Italian craftsmanship at its 2027 edition.
Taking place from 12 to 15 January in Frankfurt, the Italian Lounge will be located in the heart of Hall 4.1 and will bring together manufacturers of decorative and furniture fabrics, leather, and fibres and yarns under one roof
Pembrokeshire, Wales – August 2026 – National Weaving, a family-owned textile manufacturer with nearly four decades of experience, was honoured to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal, President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), at its Pembrokeshire facility.
The visit celebrated the company's longstanding contribution to British textile manufacturing and its commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with modern, sustainable production methods.
PHILADELPHIA – July 2026 – PRINTING United Alliance, in partnership with The Foundation for Graphic Communication Education (The FGCE), continues to expand its popular Student Day experience at PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place Thursday, September 24, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Designed to introduce students to the limitless career opportunities across the printing industry, this year's program will feature enhanced career development programming, expanded mentorship opportunities, and greater one-on-one engagement with industry professionals throughout the day's activities.
Dublin, Ireland – July 2026 – digitalprint.ie, Ireland's trusted supplier of wide format printing equipment and media, has completed the delivery and installation of two Epson SureColor S9100 printers to long-standing customer iGraphic, based in Newtownards.
The installation, which required careful planning and specialist logistics to position both machines on a first-floor mezzanine, marks another milestone in a valued, ongoing partnership.
Johannesburg – July – 2026 Experience the latest digital printing, vehicle wrapping and paint protection films at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Johannesburg Expo, where industry meets opportunity.
The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026.
Arhus – Denmark – July 2026 – Mikkelsen Innovation ApS has announced that its FASTSEWN™ 3.3M has been named the recipient of the 2026 Pinnacle Award in the Technology category by PRINTING United Alliance.
The recognition highlights the machine's role in automating the final manual step in textile graphics production, combining automated sewing and laser cutting with keder application for silicone edge graphics (SEG).
Barbieri electronics is strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for its next phase of development.
With Viktor Lazzeri, who has played a key leadership role within the company for many years and is well known to customers and partners as Chief Operating Officer, Barbieri has appointed him COO and Co-Managing Director, further strengthening its leadership capacity to support innovation, international growth and even closer customer relationships.
Altrincham – Cheshire – July 2026 - Friedmans Ltd and Funki Fabrics have announced the arrival of new print designs, expanding their existing collection with a fresh range of trend-led prints available across a broad selection of premium fabric bases.
The launch offers fashion designers, production teams, and creative professionals a timely opportunity to explore new possibilities for their upcoming collections.
Leicestershire - July 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies is pleased to announce that HG Graphics, a leading provider of building signage and vehicle wraps across Yorkshire and the UK, has invested in a fully integrated print and cutting solution combining the VelobladeNexus with the latest Onyx Graphics software.
The installation, supplied and commissioned by Vivid Laminating Technologies, sees three printers feeding directly into HG Graphics' new VelobladeNexus with auto tool change — all operating under full Onyx Graphics software integration. The solution was delivered and set up on-site as part of a complete, ready-to-run installation
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - RENNES, France—Pointcarre, the French American textile CAD company known for its jacquard and dobby weaving software, has developed a new module dedicated to wall to wall carpet and carpet tile design.
The launch addresses a gap left when APSO, the longtime CAD platform for the tufting industry, discontinued its software more than two years ago, leaving mills and carpet designers without a clear path forward.
Accrington, UK, July 29, 2026: Soyang Europe has expanded its direct-to-film (DTF) range with the launch of a paper-based transfer media that offers an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional PET transfer film.
Named Soyang DTF Paper, the new product is a single-sided release-coated transfer paper featuring anti-static treatment and a hot-peel release.
Designed for use with digital inkjet DTF printers running water-based pigment inks, the media can be recycled through standard paper waste streams, helping print businesses reduce plastic waste.
London – July 2026 – Perfect Colours, a leader in print management solutions, has highlighted the availability of Print Factory, a unified Raster Image Processor (RIP) designed to deliver consistent, high-quality colour output across multiple printers.
The solution addresses one of the print industry's most persistent challenges: maintaining colour accuracy and consistency across different devices and workflows.
Las Vegas, NV – July 2026 – Caldera, a leading provider of print workflow software solutions, has announced its participation in PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place 23–25 September 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Visitors can find Caldera at Booth C1469, where the company will showcase its latest innovations in print workflow automation, colour management, and apparel decoration.
Ghent – Belgium – July 2026 – Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS), a leading provider of digital cutting solutions, is calling on print, signage, and packaging businesses to embrace advanced materials as a strategic pathway to new markets, higher-value products, and more sustainable growth.
As competitive pressures intensify across the manufacturing sector, Kongsberg PCS is positioning its versatile, high-performance digital cutting solutions as essential tools for businesses looking to expand their capabilities and future-proof their operations.
The company's message is clear: businesses that invest in advanced material processing today are best placed to lead their industries tomorrow.
Bracknell – Berkshire-July 2026 – UFABRIK’s Soft Blackback Textile, a premium material engineered for tension frames, interiors, retail environments, exhibitions, soft signage, and beyond.
Designed to meet the exacting demands of modern display and signage professionals, the new textile sets a new benchmark for quality, versatility, and performance in the industry
Crewe, UK – July 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK's leading Mimaki distributor, has announced two dedicated demonstration weeks at its Crewe showroom this August, giving businesses across the print industry the opportunity to explore the latest Mimaki technology firsthand.
Taking place from 3rd to 7th August and 17th to 21st August 2026, the August Demo Weeks are designed to help businesses make informed investment decisions by experiencing Mimaki's wide format print solutions in a hands-on, pressure-free environment.
Florida – July - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions has announced its return as a Keynote Sponsor of the 2026 Wide Format Summit, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has supported the industry's premier gathering.
The event is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 July 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Clay Cross – UK – July 2026 – Resolute highlights its new DTF Pneumatic Twin Platen Heat Press, a professional-grade heat press designed to help print shops increase output, improve consistency, and reduce downtime across high-volume production runs.
The machine's dual-platen design allows operators to prepare the next garment while the current one is being pressed, significantly reducing idle time and increasing throughput.
This makes it particularly well-suited to print shops running large direct-to-film (DTF) and transfer print operations, where speed and consistency are critical.
Mexico City, Mexico – July 2026 – FESPA Mexico, the premier event for the print and signage industry in Latin America, is set to take place from 10–12 September at Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City.
The event will bring together professionals, suppliers, and innovators from across the region to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping the future of print.
TOKYO, Japan, July 27, 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") is proud to announce that its production facility, PT. Indonesia Epson Industry (IEI), has achieved Platinum recognition under the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Validated Assessment Program (VAP), based on audits conducted by RBA-approved independent third-party firms.
This achievement underscores Epson's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within its global supply chain.
London, UK – July 2026 – The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has announced its participation at two of Asia's most prominent textile trade events: Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics (25–27 August 2026) and CINTE Techtextil China (1–3 September 2026).
The organisation will promote and support British companies across both shows, connecting international buyers, brands, and industry partners with the full breadth of UK textile expertise.
Kufstein – Austria – July 2026 – Zimmer Austria will exhibit at CAITME 2026, the Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition, taking place from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The company will be present at Pavilion 1, Booth B50, represented through its regional agent, Textile Technologies & Services LLC.