TEXINTEL TALKS - EPISODE 115 - Empowering Women in Print with Lisbeth Lyons and Sarah Fenna
Empowering Women in Print
This conversation is about women in the print industry and the organizations that support and empower them.
The guests, Lisbeth Lyons and Sarah Fenna, discuss the Women in Print Alliance and Women in Signs and Graphics, respectively.
In conversation they talk about the challenges faced by women in the industry and the need for more representation and support. They also discuss the importance of engaging with education and attracting the next generation of women to the print industry. The conversation ends with a call out to the industry for support, collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources.
Moderator : Debbie McKeegan – CEO Texintel
Expert Panel: Lisbeth Lyons & Sarah Fenna
Listen to learn more…
Summary
Empowering Women in Print
This conversation is about women in the print industry and the organizations that support and empower them. The guests, Lisbeth Lyons and Sarah Fenna, discuss the Women in Print Alliance and Women in Signs and Graphics, respectively.
In conversation they talk about the challenges faced by women in the industry and the need for more representation and support. They also discuss the importance of engaging with education and attracting the next generation of women to the print industry. The conversation ends with a call out to the industry for support, collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources.
Key Takeaways
1. The Women in Print Alliance and Women in Sign and Graphics are organizations that support and empower women in the print industry.
2. There is a need for more representation and support for women in the industry, both in leadership positions and on the production floor.
3. Engaging with education and attracting the next generation of women to the print industry is crucial for its future.
4. Collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources are essential for creating a more inclusive and diverse print industry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Women in Print Alliance and Women in Science and Graphics
06:05 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Print
11:52 Engaging with Education to Attract Women to Print
17:53 Collaboration for a More Inclusive Print Industry
In this podcast episode, James Watson, Managing Director of Surface Print, discussed the evolution of his fourth-generation family business in Lancashire.
Surface Print combines traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation- investing £2 million in a hybrid rotary screen Gravure machine and £600,000 in new HP digital printers.
The company achieved ISO 14001 accreditation, introduced solar panels, and plans to install a new boiler and water recirculation system. Watson emphasised the importance of balancing traditional techniques with modern technologies to maintain quality and sustainability. The company also leverages AI for efficiency and marketing, while maintaining a family-oriented work culture.
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From Dongles to Digital: Future‑Proof Licensing for Global Creative Teams
Host Debbie McKeegan talks with NedGraphics President Frank Maeder and 10Duke CEO Neil Fenton about the shift from hardware dongles to secure, user‑centric cloud licensing.
They discuss how this transition reduces friction for designers, supports hybrid and global workflows, strengthens security and resilience, and even contributes to sustainability by eliminating physical keys and their shipping footprint.
If you’re in fashion, design, CAD/CAM, or any creative production environment and want to future‑proof your software delivery, this discussion is packed with insight and real‑world examples.
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In this insightful interview, Dave Conner, Director of Product Marketing at Stahls and Fulfill Engine, shares his journey into the textile industry.
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This is not merely a shift in consumer demand; it is the fundamental evolution of the printed surface. By leveraging adaptive manufacturing, 3D added value, and sustainable surface effects, digital printers can secure their future by offering unique print applications across apparel, interior décor, accessories, and bespoke objects.
Discover how automation, materials, and community collaboration are shaping the future of on-demand garment decoration and fulfilment.
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In this podcast episode, Ulrich Scherbel, CEO of AMSilk, discusses the innovative production of bioengineered spider silk protein and its applications in the textile industry, going far beyond fibre and with the power to radically transform inks and chemistry.
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Discover practical lessons on building a resilient business, nurturing talent, and leveraging AI for future growth.
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Colour Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
Print will always be the part of the garment people see first.
But the sum of all parts — the fabric, the trims, the fasteners, the finish — is what determines whether a design actually delivers on its promise. Brands that continue to treat colour as a single creative decision, rather than a coordinated technical discipline spanning their entire supply chain, will keep paying for it in re-dips, delays, and disappointed design teams.
A Century of Textiles, and an Ever-changing World
Few companies can trace their roots back more than a century and still count themselves among their industry's innovators. Texia, headquartered in Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain, is one of them.
But the story of Texia is not simply one of longevity.
It is a story of continual reinvention. As the textile industry has grown more global and competitive, Texia has repeatedly reshaped its business, investing in technology, developing its own brands, and placing sustainability at the centre of its mission. In doing so, it offers a compelling example of how a heritage manufacturer can lead rather than follow through a period of profound industry change. Image Credit: Texia
What are we craving Ultimately?
The instinct to slow down while simultaneously optimising every measurable aspect of life isn't a passing curiosity. It's a structural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable, and it's reshaping what people expect from their homes, hotels, workplaces and healthcare environments alike.
For the design and manufacturing sectors, this means rethinking both product and process.
The Structual Shift is Real and its Already Here
Volumes are moving east, where digital production is accelerating rapidly. Consumer behaviour has shifted.
Demand is now driven by personalisation, shorter buying cycles, and an expectation of near-instant responsiveness. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with supply chain transparency now a legal and commercial fact in many markets. And margins? They are under sustained, structural pressure.
This is not a temporary disruption. It is a fundamental reordering of how textile manufacturing must operate.
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The wallpaper landscape has changed dramatically. Digital printing has lowered the barrier to entry, spawning countless direct-to-consumer brands and pushing much of the market towards faster, cheaper production.
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Built by PolyPrint, a garment printer manufacturer since 2006, the Filmjet Mini brings together everything a business needs to start DTF production within a single, compact machine.
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The full range is available now, and adds textile to a Gongzheng line-up the company already sells across UV and eco-solvent.
You can learn more about these printers by talking to China Print Supplies at The Print Show later this month (stands S220 and S420).
Tonbridge – UK – September 2026 Compass Business Finance will return to The Print Show this year, inviting visitors to explore their game plans for growth and the strategic decisions that can help drive long-term success in an increasingly fast-moving market.
Located on Stand P580, Compass will deliver an immersive experience designed to explore the challenges, opportunities and key business decisions facing print companies today.
Rather than offering generic advice, the stand will encourage visitors to think differently about their ambitions, investment priorities, and the practical steps required to move their businesses forward with confidence
Dorking – UK – September 2026 – FESPA has announced a new instalment of its FESPA Insights webinar series, focusing on one of the garment decoration industry's fastest-growing opportunities: personalised apparel.
The session, titled "Scaling Your Personalised Apparel Business", will take place on 29 September 2026 at 14:00 BST.
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