IPI Conference 2025: two days that moved industrial print forward

The fourth edition of the Industrial Print Integration (IPI) Conference, organised by the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association (ESMA), delivered two days of concentrated insight and collaboration in Düsseldorf-Neuss. With 59 presentations across three tracks and a buzzing exhibition of 56 tabletop stands, IPI 2025 reaffirmed its role as a key meeting point for the industrial, functional and specialist print community.

The event started with a strong technical focus: a fully booked waveform training drew participants eager for hands-on optimisation techniques before the main programme began. From there, the conference unfolded into an intensive blend of research updates, application case studies, and forward looking technology previews.

Attendees highlighted that blend as central to the event’s impact. Jacob Ørum from Lego described IPI as a place that reveals ‘what is now and what is coming’ in innovation. Across the exhibition floor, where major suppliers stood alongside start ups and research labs, conversations flowed easily. ‘A seamless mix between technical talks and networking,’ noted AGC Automotive’s Samuel Machi, calling the format ‘purpose built for collaboration’.

For newcomers, the value was equally clear. Gianmarco Zaccarini of Graf Industries called his first visit ‘a full immersion in mind opening presentations’, while AVA CAD CAM’s Duncan Ross praised the event simply as ‘enjoyable, knowledgeable, good networking’. AT Inks’ Pradeep Koyadan distilled the consensus into a single line: IPI is ‘where innovation meets technical excellence’.

The programme reflected the breadth of an industry in transition: high viscosity jetting, advanced waveform design, printed electronics, multi-material deposition, and sustainability in ink and substrate development all drew strong interest. Across tracks, speakers connected technical progress to real manufacturing needs, illustrating how industrial inkjet and functional printing continue to expand into new applications.

ESMA has also confirmed the next milestones for the community:

• The IPI Conference 2026 will be returning to Düsseldorf–Neuss on 24 to 25 November 2026.

• And, the launch of IPI-X, Inkjet Print Innovations Expo, the first dedicated industrial inkjet exhibition, taking place 16 to 18 November 2027 at Messe Essen.