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The future is ALSO what we make it to be · Christoph Gamper · CEO · DURST Group

What happens when AI, autonomous systems, and print production begin to merge? In this deep and highly philosophical conversation, Editor Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Christoph Gamper from DURST about the future of print, automation, software, and human interaction with technology. Recorded at Expográfica in Guadalajara, the interview moves far beyond machinery and production equipment into questions about how value will be created in the future, how AI agents may negotiate production automatically, and why the next generation of print manufacturing could become increasingly autonomous. Christoph Gamper explains why he believes print production will evolve toward “lights-out” manufacturing environments, where human roles shift from manual operation toward orchestration, architecture, and decision-making. The discussion explores labor shortages, autonomous logistics, AI-driven workflows, and why the future may depend less on closed software ecosystems and more on open, hardware-agnostic systems capable of dynamically connecting entire production environments. The conversation also introduces DURST’s vision behind “Kyveris,” a concept Christoph Gamper describes as a connection between human knowledge and AI-driven systems designed to create value for real people. Rather than focusing on software lock-ins or isolated ecosystems, the discussion centers on how decades of industrial knowledge can be translated into intelligent systems that help printers optimize production, improve efficiency, and rethink how print businesses operate. This is not simply a discussion about presses or automation. It is a conversation about leadership, technological optimism, the role of AI in manufacturing, and how the print industry may fundamentally change over the next decade.

Marcus Weiss · CEO · Koenig & Bauer – Paper & Packaging | Member of the Group Management

In this interview, Morten B. Reitoft sits down with Markus Weiss for a discussion that starts with perspective rather than products. Stepping into a company with more than 200 years of history is one thing. Helping shape where it goes next is something else. Markus Weiss brings nearly two decades of experience from HP Inc., where he played a key role in developing digital print across regions, including EMEA. That background is evident in how he approaches the conversation. Change is not something to react to; it is something to manage, and often to lead. The discussion moves quickly beyond technologies. Because the reality, as Weiss explains, is that customers are not buying offset or digital, they are investing in applications, efficiency, and relevance. The challenge is not choosing one over the other, but understanding how they work together. Another important theme is complexity. Large organizations naturally develop silos across locations, technologies, and cultures. Breaking those silos and aligning around customer needs is easier said than done, but essential if companies want to stay competitive in a fast-changing market. There is also a clear acknowledgment of the financial reality. Innovation is not optional, especially for manufacturers operating in Europe. Balancing innovation with cost efficiency is a constant challenge, and one that requires both discipline and long-term thinking. Beyond strategy, the conversation also touches on leadership. Weiss emphasizes the importance of listening, encouraging direct feedback, and building strong relationships, both internally and with customers. It is a pragmatic approach shaped by experience in dynamic, often demanding environments. This is not a product-focused interview. It is a broader conversation about how to lead a company with deep industrial roots into a future defined by change. Watch the full interview with Markus Weiss to hear how experience, adaptability, and a clear focus on customer needs shape the direction of one of the industry’s most established companies.

Eric Vessels · Let’s talk about Reactor · Chief Experience Officer · Taktiful

A conversation that starts with “vibe” quickly turns into something much more fundamental. In this INKISH interview, Morten Reitoft sits down with Eric Vessels from Taktiful to explore what may very well define the next phase of the print industry. Taktiful isn’t just a company. It’s a community, a training platform, and—if you ask Eric—a mindset. One that moves beyond transactions and into something far more powerful: creating fans instead of customers. Because in a world where print has been heavily commoditized, differentiation is no longer about speed or price—it’s about value, emotion, and experience. The conversation dives deep into what Eric calls “the value era” of digital embellishment. While traditional print has optimized for efficiency, embellishment opens a completely different playbook—one where uniqueness drives margin, and where tactile experiences create emotional engagement that digital media simply cannot replicate. This is where print regains its superpower. Morten challenges the thinking, pushing into pricing strategies, psychology, and the industry’s tendency to undervalue its own capabilities. From market-variable pricing models to the psychology of touch, the discussion reveals how much opportunity is still left untapped—not because the technology isn’t there, but because the mindset often isn’t. The interview also introduces Taktiful’s latest development: Reactor. A 3D visualization tool designed to bridge one of the biggest gaps in embellishment—showing rather than telling. By transforming layered PDF files into interactive, photorealistic previews, Reactor enables sales teams and customers alike to see, feel, and understand the value before anything is printed. But beneath the tools and strategies lies something else. A clear belief that the print industry doesn’t need to become something new—it needs to rediscover what already makes it unique. The ability to create physical experiences that people can touch, feel, and emotionally connect with. As Eric puts it: don’t take yourself too seriously—but take the business seriously. And maybe that balance—between playfulness and purpose—is exactly what the industry needs right now. Eric Vessels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericvessels/

Sheilae Siagian · The Print Nerd and Student · Toronto Metropolitan University

Oliver Schimek · Founder & Managing Director · Digital Print Group

Filmed on location in Nürnberg, this INKISH feature marks the beginning of INKISH Deutschland’s first production tour, as Morten B. Reitoft visits Digital Print Group and speaks with Founder and Managing Director Oliver Schimek about what a modern, highly automated print business looks like in practice. The conversation quickly moves beyond the traditional definition of a printer. Digital Print Group positions itself as a true solution provider, where production is only part of the equation. With roughly half of its workforce dedicated to programming, workflow development, and customer-specific solutions, the company demonstrates how technology, software, and mindset come together to serve increasingly complex customer demands. The film highlights a production environment built on automation and flexibility, where a wide range of equipment from manufacturers such as Canon, Horizon, and Fujifilm is integrated into internally developed workflows rather than relying on standard turnkey systems. A notable aspect of the operation is the extensive use of robotics, implemented not only to address labor shortages in Germany but also to ensure consistent quality and remove repetitive tasks from employees. Serving large and demanding customers requires more than capacity. It requires a company-wide mindset focused on reliability, timing, and responsibility. With a team of 47 employees, Digital Print Group operates in a stable but evolving market, continuously adapting its processes and technologies to remain competitive. This INKISH film offers insight into how one company combines automation, in-house software development, and a strong service culture to redefine what it means to be a printing company today.

Steven German & Jim Gavitt from The Harrier Group share the journey from analog, to toner, to Inkjet

This film explores the transformation of the Harrier Group, a company that began as a single photo-printing operation in the United Kingdom and, over time, became part of a much larger global production network. Nearly two decades ago, the operation consisted of one building and one digital production area alongside traditional silver-halide photo processing. From those early days with a handful of digital presses producing cards, calendars, books, and posters, the business expanded significantly. As it grew, the company eventually became part of a wider international organization, connecting its production capabilities with other photo-printing specialists around the world. Today, Harrier operates as part of a global structure that includes District Photo in the United States and Prima Printing in Australia. Each company maintains its strong local brand and heritage, but together they form an interconnected production ecosystem that shares expertise, technology, and operational resources across continents. The film follows this journey through the voices of the people behind the company, revealing how the photo industry has evolved—from traditional chemistry-based production to digital printing and now to large-scale inkjet manufacturing. It also shows how collaboration between facilities, shared workflows, and internal software development enable the group to manage enormous seasonal demand while maintaining flexibility throughout the year. Ultimately, this is a story about transformation—not only of a company that grew and was integrated into a global production network, but also of an entire industry moving rapidly toward faster, more automated, and more scalable print technologies.

Jorge Luis Rodríguez · President · Servi Impresos ·

Español: (English below)
Entre impresores se dice que tenemos tinta en las venas, y para Jorge Luis Rodríguez eso es una realidad. Como representante de Servir Impresos, empresa fundada por su padre en 1970, Jorge ha dedicado más de 35 años a desarrollar un negocio especializado en la maquila de impresión offset. Desde la preprensa y las placas hasta la impresión y los acabados, Servir Impresos ayuda a otros impresores a entregar trabajos de alta calidad a sus propios clientes, con precios competitivos, tiempos de entrega confiables y un servicio cercano. En este video, Jorge comparte la historia de la empresa, cómo ha evolucionado el negocio después de la pandemia y cómo sus prensas Heidelberg y su flujo de trabajo integral les permiten apoyar a sus clientes a lo largo de todo el proceso de impresión.

English:
Printing is often said to run in our veins, and for Jorge Luis Rodríguez, that couldn’t be more true. As the representative of Servir Impresos, a company founded by his father in 1970, Jorge has spent more than 35 years building a trusted printing service focused on offset outsourcing. From prepress and plates to printing and finishing, Servir Impresos helps printers deliver high-quality work to their clients at competitive prices, with reliable turnaround times and a commitment to customer care. In this video, Jorge shares the company's story, how the business has evolved after the pandemic, and how their Heidelberg presses and full in-house workflow enable them to support customers throughout the entire printing process.

Architect Rune Veile · URBAN POWER · at the NON-EVENT26

In this inspiring and visually rich presentation, Rune Veile, co-founder of Urban Power, takes the audience on a journey through contemporary Danish urbanism and the challenges shaping our cities. Founded around 12 years ago with two partners, Urban Power works at the intersection of buildings, landscape, and urban planning, guiding clients through complex processes that often span 5, 10, or even 15 years. Many of the projects shown are still evolving—reflecting the long-term nature of meaningful urban transformation. Rune Veile outlines the urgent issues facing Denmark: rising CO₂ emissions from inefficient housing and demolition, biodiversity loss, increasing car dependency, flooding from cloudbursts and sea level rise, and the fundamental challenge of limited land in a small country. Drawing on national statistics, he highlights how each person in Denmark effectively accounts for more than 1,000 square meters of urbanized space when infrastructure, parking, and leftover areas are included. The conclusion is clear: we must use space far more intelligently. Through conceptual proposals and built projects, he demonstrates how Urban Power addresses these challenges by combining functions, reusing existing structures rather than demolishing them, thoughtfully densifying cities, integrating biodiversity into public spaces, and strengthening pedestrian and cyclist connections. Ideas such as a continuous green spine connecting fragmented natural areas across Denmark and a high-speed rail ring transforming the country into a “one-hour city” illustrate how infrastructure and ecology can be reimagined at a national scale. The presentation then moves into concrete examples around Copenhagen and Scandinavia: transforming former shipyard halls into student housing and event spaces; converting outdated office parks into mixed-use residential communities; creating “symbiosis housing” that combines offices, urban farming, kindergartens, and homes within one building; and designing community-oriented housing in wood and low-CO₂ materials. Rune Veile emphasizes identity, social interaction, and shared facilities as essential components of sustainable living—not only reducing emissions but improving quality of life. He also discusses the realities of development, including municipal regulations, affordable housing requirements, and the financial pressures shaping modern cities. Projects range from dense harbor developments to nature-integrated housing in Norway and large-scale visions for entirely new urban districts. The talk concludes on a personal note with the home Rune Veile designed and built for his own family—an experiment in climate adaptation prepared for future flooding. Constructed over three years, the house reflects both technical precision and lived experience, reinforcing his belief that architects must understand every scale of building, from national planning to the smallest construction detail. Throughout the presentation, Rune Veile makes a compelling case that cities are not just part of the climate problem—they are central to the solution. With creativity, long-term thinking, and intelligent use of space, urban environments can become more sustainable, more resilient, and far more livable.

Nessan Cleary · Journalist · INKISH Honoree 26

In this thoughtful and candid conversation, Nessan Cleary reflects on recognition, journalistic integrity, independence, and the evolving media landscape in the printing industry. When asked about being selected as an honoree at the NON-EVENT, Cleary admits he was genuinely surprised. Known for his humility and relative privacy, he did not expect the recognition. While he appreciates being noticed, he remains pragmatic about awards, viewing them as a pleasant acknowledgment rather than a defining milestone. For him, professional validation has always been secondary to doing the work properly. Trained in newspaper journalism with a postgraduate qualification, Cleary explains that his unbiased, methodical approach is not something he developed over time but simply the craft he was taught. He draws a clear line between journalism and marketing, emphasizing that he deliberately chose to fund his work independently rather than accept sponsorship or funding from the companies he covers. That decision, while financially challenging, gives him complete editorial freedom — something he considers far more valuable than commercial security. The conversation explores how journalism has changed, particularly in terms of speed, global publishing cycles, and audience expectations. While publishing is faster today, Cleary believes depth still matters more than immediacy. He does not rely heavily on analytics; instead, he judges impact by direct reader feedback. Some stories that require significant effort generate little response, while others unexpectedly resonate widely — a reminder that audience engagement is often unpredictable. He also reflects on major investigative work, including coverage of controversial business dealings in the industry. Those stories highlighted both the limitations of working independently and the importance of due diligence, following the money, and maintaining journalistic standards even when navigating legally sensitive territory. Collaboration with other journalists during those investigations proved both unusual and valuable in an industry where competition is often the norm. Beyond journalism, Cleary shares insights into his personal life — his love of cooking, his diverse musical tastes ranging from classical and jazz to punk and rock, and how he uses rhythmic elements in music to shape his writing process. A former music journalist before moving into print technology, he approaches both fields with curiosity and technical interest. Printing, he notes, uniquely combines mechanical engineering with advanced digital systems — a blend that continues to fascinate him. Despite decades in the industry, he remains driven by the core principle that people need reliable, in-depth information. Technologies evolve, publishing platforms change, and reading habits shift from print to desktop to mobile, but the need for accurate, independent reporting remains. In his view, version “2.0” of journalism is not about reinvention — it is about maintaining integrity while adapting to new formats. The discussion concludes with reflections on industry events, collaboration, and the value of creating spaces where people can exchange ideas openly. For Cleary, the most important thing remains clear: follow the money, maintain independence, and provide readers with information they can trust.

Laurel Brunner · Managing Director · Digital Dots · INKISH Honoree 2026

In this engaging and wide-ranging conversation, Laurel Brunner reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, movement, music, technology, and an enduring passion for the printing and publishing industry. From her love of dancing—fueled by a lifelong connection to music and an energetic personality—to her international upbringing between London, Germany, New York, and California, she shares how cultural mobility shaped her worldview. After leaving a conventional life in the UK at just 21, she moved back to the United States, studied linguistics and English literature at University of California, Los Angeles, and supported herself through college by working with Jonathan Seybold. What began as a temporary typing assignment evolved into a formative role within the Seybold organization, helping build what would become one of the most influential platforms in desktop publishing and digital prepress. She reflects on the early days of desktop publishing, the revolutionary shift from traditional prepress workflows, and how those foundational years directly connect to today’s digital data-driven publishing ecosystem. The work done then, she explains, laid the groundwork for a world where digital content creation and distribution are accessible to anyone—from novelists to global brands. Now at 69, Brunner remains deeply engaged in the industry, even as she balances technical writing with her desire to focus more on fiction. As a convenor within an international standards technical committee focused on graphics technology and sustainability, she leads a global working group developing standards for sustainable print. Sustainability, she explains, has always been personal—driven by an intolerance for waste and a belief that efficiency and environmental responsibility can coexist with commercial success. The conversation explores generational change, industry reinvention, and the tension between what leaders say and what they are willing to give up. She reflects on how innovation often comes from necessity, recalling how the prepress revolution forced companies to become more efficient to survive. The same logic, she argues, applies to sustainability today: real progress often follows commercial incentives. She also discusses the challenge of being heard in a fast-moving information landscape, the importance of writing in ways that resonate, and how global collaboration—sometimes from the most unexpected places—helps shape meaningful industry standards. Receiving recognition for her work came as a surprise, especially since she considers herself more of a behind-the-scenes contributor than a visible industry personality. Yet her influence spans decades of transformation in publishing, digital workflows, and sustainability advocacy. The conversation concludes with reflections on the power of publishing itself. Whether through newspapers, books, labels, or digital substrates, she describes printing as the vehicle through which society shapes and shares knowledge. Events that bring people together person-to-person—without corporate filters—remind her of the early Seybold seminars, where innovation was born in conversation as much as in conference sessions. A thoughtful and energetic dialogue about global perspective, sustainability, generational responsibility, and the enduring belief that publishing—at its core—shapes how we understand the world.

Ferdinand Rüesch · Brand Ambassador · Gallus & Heidelberg · INKISH Honoree 2026

In this in-depth and personal conversation, Ferdinand Rüesch reflects on legacy, responsibility, and what it truly means to step into his father’s shoes at Gallus. As a third-generation leader, he took over the family company in 1990 during a time of industry crisis and personal uncertainty. He shares the emotional and professional impact of being called home before finishing his MBA, the powerful moment when his father handed him the keys to an empty office, and the realization that the future of Gallus was now his to shape. Rüesch speaks candidly about losing his father—not only as the founder of the modern company, but as a mentor and trusted advisor—and the challenge of finding his own leadership style rather than copying the previous generation. From starting as a mechanic apprentice in 1974 to leading the business through decades of transformation in the printing industry, he describes how the company was never just work, but life itself. The conversation explores leadership, chemistry, and long-term relationships in business. Known for building close connections with customers around the world, he reflects on the importance of personality, standing firm in one’s opinions, and knowing when to step forward—or step back. He shares insights into balancing authority with humility and explains why reading people is an essential leadership skill. Away from the factory, he opens up about family life, cooking, barbecuing, maintaining a wine cellar, photography, and his love of classic music from The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Dire Straits. He also reflects on travel—once dominated by early business flights, now increasingly enjoyed at a different pace—and how the foundation built by his grandfather and father created not only a company, but a platform for a meaningful family life. As he gradually steps back from daily operations, Rüesch explains how his role has evolved. He no longer walks the factory floor giving instructions; instead, he is called upon when needed—trusted for experience, perspective, and instinct. It is a transition built on mutual respect. The dialogue concludes with reflections on recognition, influence, and the importance of creating spaces where people in the industry can speak openly and connect person-to-person rather than just business-to-business. For Ferdinand Rüesch, appreciation is not about titles or medals, but about sharing experiences, bringing people together, and remembering that industry, at its core, is about people.

Legacy Book Printer Adding Digital Production · Enrique & Armando Espinosa · Grupo Espinosa

Grupo Espinosa is a family-owned printing company in Mexico City. In this episode, we are invited to see the latest branch - the digital book production site. Enrique & Armando Espinosa are leading the digital transformation and have the family's go-ahead to invest in one of the smartest and most modern printing companies around. The legacy of Grupo Espinosa, where production of high-quality books is in focus, the digital branch continues to invest in HP Advantage T-2200, Indigo 120K, and Harrison Bruno coatings, and this is why we have been invited to Espinosa: a nearline book setup consisting of Hunkeler and Müller Martini equipment. However, one thing is the technology at the site; what impresses us is the mindset. In a market where mass-production is still the most common way of producing, the investment in a digital setup, as described above, is clear evidence of how Grupo Espinosa invests in a future that in Mexico also is a given. The future is digital!

Noel Franco · Production Manager · Huella Litográfica

This was our first filming in Mexico, so you are always wondering what to expect, and one of the things you realize in Mexico City is the lack of large corporate signs. You also encounter many closed gates, and it's only when they open that you get your first insight into the printing company you are about to visit. When you enter the gate at Huella Litográfica, the first thing that meets you after registration is a massive paper warehouse - so after passing through this, you quickly realize that Huella Litográfica is a Labels and Packaging company. They have flexo presses for their lables a couple of Koenig & Bauer presses, and a die cutter for folding carton, and then a lot of technology that is tailored to the products Huella Litográfica produces. As Production Manager Noel Franco explains, they are busy. Great company, things VERY much under control, and always great to see well functioning companies with a strong belief in the future - so much, that the company is planning further investments in Koenig & Bauer products :-)

Massive Heidelberg Investment · Diamantis & Giannis Arvanitidis · Pressious Arvanitidis

Commercial print is still alive and kicking, and the best proof of this is when companies like Pressious Arvanitidis not only invest in new Heidelberg technology but also plan for the future with a new, young, and very optimistic 3rd generation taking over the leadership. About an hour's drive from Athens, we find Pressious Arvanitidis - not difficult to find, as it's practically the only building in the area. The weather is fantastic, and the hospitality is great as well. We are visiting Pressious Arvanitidis as they have invested in an XL-106 8-color 21K. Together with new plate setters and folding machines, the new technology will increase productivity, speed, and profitability, taking over the job from two older roll-fed Speedmasters. Pressious Arvanitidis also became FSC-certified to serve customers, increasing the sustainability needs. By all means, a fantastic day with our new friends from Greece - thank you guys!

Succesful Commercial Printer in Las Vegas · Chris Casey · Creative Digital Printing

Why is it that some commercial printers experience declining revenue, and companies like Creative Digital Printing experience the opposite? In this interview with Chris Casey from Creative Digital Printing, he explains why his company is growing significantly. We visited Creative Digital Printing because the company, during CONNECT 2026, prints our INKISH MAGS, so we, of course, had to cover that. Turned out to be a learning experience, and a great afternoon understanding why this company experiences growth!

Christine Jones Harris · Principal, Corporate Development · Jones Healthcare Group

Visiting Jones Healthcare Group was a blast. Not only because of how they use their Koenig & Bauer presses, or the vast number of die-cutters, and folding/gluers from various vendors, but also because of visiting a company that has specialized in healthcare are set by very high requirements and safety point of view. Jones Healthcare is a global company with facilities in both the US and Europe. Besides the printing part, Jones Healthcare also develops packaging solutions for medicine, and if not enough, they also do the actual packaging of medicine. An amazing story about a family company that has a rather unique story, but watch and listen.

Embellishment done right! · Marcus Short, Richard Pacey & Jordan Pugh · Qualvis Print & Packaging

It's difficult to decide how to start this story. It's about a print and packaging company in Leicester investing in new technology. A new Koenig & Bauer press and a new folding/gluer, also from Koenig & Press. In a way, enough, but there is more to it, because the configuration of the printing press is as such unique, and as Richard Pacey explains, maybe the only one in the world. A seven-color with three coaters. But doesn't that lead to the more obvious question, why? And that's really the story. Qualvis is a print and packaging company that has specialized in high-end packaging. As we sit in the meeting room before the filming, tons of samples are placed on the table, and, of course, we look at them. Marcus Short asks us - so how do you think it's made? It looks like overprinted coldset, yet it has a different shine, and it's still the best option. And here is what Qualvis has developed over the years. Instead of using cold foil, Qualvis has developed Q-lustre. It's a flexo-printed, reflective silver color, UV-dried, and ready to be overprinted, just like a cold foil. The result is a stunning print with a metalization that actually doesn't have any metalization, as we know. It's more sustainable because it doesn't use a foil carrier, the company claims, and customers like what they see. Combined with a fast folding/gluer, the company's existing blue Koenig & Bauer Rapida press, and a few BOBST die-cutters, the company is well set for the future, and the three gentlemen we speak with are all game and ready. This was a fun job!

Packaging from Shutterfly · Pat McGrew · Print Sample TV #103

In this Print Sample TV episode - and can you believe it, already #103 - your one and only, Pat McGrew share her photobook purchasing experience from Shutterfly. It's about branding, but also getting your photobook delivered without weather conditions :-)

The Box Itself Becomes the Collector’s Item · Pat McGrew · Print Sample TV #104

Your host, Pat McGrew, shows you an amazing box, made by Italian Stampa Media. Both the magazines that go into the box and the box itself have become a piece of art, and hopefully inspire hundreds, if not thousands how to use print in branding and marketing. Great work!

Touch · Pat McGrew · Print Sample TV #105

Pat McGrew shares the amazing work of Sappi, which shows the power of touch in print. What do the different print and embellishment types do to remember something? Sappi claims that 50% touching a premium package twice makes shoppers 50% more likely to purchase