Focused first outing for SPI Europe wins over screen-printing specialists
The first Screen Print Innovations (SPI) Europe (3–5 June 2025, Messe Essen) attracted a line-up of just over 40 suppliers and a visitor base made up almost entirely of screen- and pad-printing decision-makers—a ratio many exhibitors within this industry said they rarely see at larger, more general print events. FuturePrint was on the ground not only to scout the latest tech but also to support this new specialist show and its mission to address a more industrial print audience.
‘It’s refreshing to walk a launch show where every conversation is about a live project rather than a casual ‘look-see’. SPI felt like a solutions marketplace from the first hour,’ said Frazer Chesterman, co-founder of FuturePrint.
What caught the eye on the show floor
INO – PE Line A7 turnkey printed-electronics line: camera-controlled sheet-fed system (up to 1,050 × 750 mm) with integrated dryer and stacker for high-precision, high-output screen printing.
Thieme + Natgraph live combo: Thieme’s 3000 ¾-automatic flatbed shuttle press ran in-line with a modular Natgraph UV/air-force dryer, spotlighting fast changeovers and energy-efficient curing.
CST – DLE Smart direct-to-screen imager: DMD-based platform offering up to 2,400 dpi with lower running costs for industrial users.
ESC – Both screen and digital options for direct to shape including examples of beauty products, automotive badges and engine parts
Gallus – Rotascreen narrow-web unit: retrofit module brings rotary screen capability to any press at up to 120 m min⁻¹.
Sun Chemical – functional, low-VOC ink sets for electronics and premium packaging.
Grafco – speciality inks & chemical auxiliaries spanning textiles, plastics, labels and nano-tech electronics, with a strong sustainability pitch.
Fimor – serilor® polyurethane squeegees plus on-stand sharpening kit, stressing RoHS-compliant materials and extended tool life.
IST INTECH’s UV LED modules (air-cooled Z Series, water-cooled C Series) let customers replace bulky arc-lamp units with compact, eco-friendly LED heads that deliver uniform cures, lower heat output and major energy savings
‘LED curing lamps are a major leap for screen printing—using the same inks, they cure faster, use far less energy and work instantly without warm-up. Many industrial print shops still rely on ovens or old UV lamps, so switching to LED means quicker drying, lower costs and fewer emissions. At SPI Europe, we showcased retrofit kits and full LED systems to help any printer upgrade easily,’ said Holly Steedman, IST INTECH.
DROP (Hans Lüscher) – Phoenix DLES CtS/CtP laser imagesetter: micron-level accuracy for flat and rotary screens.
Marcus Timson pointed out the relentless fine-tuning on display—suppliers were shaving seconds off setup times, microns off registration and watts off energy use, all to boost productivity and sustainability. This wasn’t about headline-grabbing disruption but steady, practical improvements that keep screen printing indispensable.
The ‘Innovation Theatre’ provided a dedicated forum for presentations and case studies, covering everything from printed-electronics breakthroughs and smart-textile applications to security enhancements and sustainable processes—giving attendees a chance to explore these key topics in depth.
Coming from an inkjet background, Elena Knight noted how deeply screen printing remains woven into virtually every industrial sector—from automotive dials to biomedical sensors and luxury packaging. Though mature, the process continues to advance in precision, automation and quality—so much so that every demo station stayed busy all day thanks to the well-curated audience.
SPI Europe’s ‘small but perfectly formed’ debut suggests that specialist, application-led events still have plenty of pull in a crowded trade-show calendar, and it will return in June 2027.
If you are interested in the topic of Industrial Print technology then join us for our FuturePrint TECH - Industrial Print event at MotorWorld in January 21-22nd 2026, where you can see both screen and digital technology for topics such as Automotive, White goods , PE , Packaging and Meditech.