Canon is gearing up for a major reveal at the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin, promising a showcase packed with innovation, emotion, and real-world business value.
The company is placing a bold bet on large format printing’s ability to do more than just fill space — it wants to move people, reshape environments, and help businesses break through visual noise. At the heart of it all? A lineup of cutting-edge printers and immersive workflows designed to make visual storytelling feel less like marketing and more like magic.
Real-World Printing Meets Retail Drama
Step onto Canon’s booth next month and it won’t feel like your usual trade show display.
There’ll be a full-blown concept store on the floor, featuring everything from branded packaging to wallpaper and acoustic boards. Canon isn’t just showing what its Arizona, Colorado, and imagePROGRAF printers can do — it’s showing how they actually get used. Think tiled mosaics on walls, sleek wood-printed signage, and even POS displays that wouldn’t look out of place in a flagship fashion store.
One quick walk-through might spark more ideas than a hundred PowerPoint decks.
Why It’s Not Just About the Tech
Of course, Canon’s bringing the hardware muscle — the Arizona flatbeds, Colorado roll-to-roll machines, and the high-detail imagePROGRAF line are all expected to take center stage.
A big part of the spotlight will be on Canon’s software ecosystem, especially its PRISMA XL Suite, which helps manage everything from file input to color consistency and production workflows. Add in third-party partners and what you’ve got is an end-to-end print solution — one that Canon hopes will make PSPs (print service providers) more efficient, more agile, and yes, more profitable.
And they’re not just talking the talk. Canon plans to highlight actual business stories to back it all up, such as:
-
Norwegian floristry brand Fiori, which used Canon’s tech to transform its shop with custom décor.
-
The immersive World Unseen project, which redefines visual accessibility by offering a multisensory art experience for both sighted and visually impaired visitors.
These aren’t just proof points — they’re emotional anchors.
Tapping Into the Human Side of Print
Print’s biggest selling point? It makes people feel something.
That’s the core of Canon’s “Power to Move” theme this year. Sure, print can sell a product. But done right, it can also tell a story, evoke a memory, or turn a bland hallway into a talking point. That kind of emotional connection — one created by rich textures, large visuals, and unexpected materials — is exactly what Canon wants to spotlight.
Canon’s research suggests that high-impact wide format graphics can increase foot traffic in retail spaces by up to 32%. When paired with tailored in-store signage, customers are also more likely to engage with displays — meaning POS graphics aren’t just decorative, they’re strategic.
Interior Décor: The Quiet Giant of Wide Format
Let’s talk numbers for a second. The global printed interior décor market was valued at over $30 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow at around 5% annually. Canon clearly sees an opportunity here — and it’s going all in.
Here’s a quick look at the types of décor applications Canon plans to highlight at FESPA:
| Application Type | Materials Showcased | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper | Textured, custom printed | Retail, hospitality, residential |
| Acoustic Boards | Sound-absorbing prints on foam or wood | Offices, studios, conference spaces |
| Tile & Glass Prints | UV-curable prints | Kitchens, bathrooms, art installations |
| Posters & Mosaics | High-res, detail-focused | Branding, museums, exhibitions |
| Wood & Corrugated | Structural and packaging applications | Luxury packaging, displays |
This kind of versatility — and the ability to control it all from a single platform — is exactly what Canon believes sets it apart from rivals.
Collaborations That Actually Mean Something
You hear a lot about “partnerships” in print industry announcements, but Canon’s approach feels a little more grounded.
Instead of vague co-branding exercises, Canon plans to demonstrate how working closely with customers, designers, and software partners actually leads to better results. That includes deeper integrations with media suppliers, automation partners, and even creative agencies.
There’s no smoke and mirrors here. The message is clear: if you’re a print service provider looking to grow your offerings without drowning in complexity, Canon wants to be your go-to.
And they’re hoping the real-world examples will prove it.
FESPA 2025: A Glimpse Into What’s Next
FESPA’s own theme this year is “Where visionaries meet.” Canon is clearly taking that to heart.
Its immersive booth won’t just be a product display — it’s a statement about what large format print can do when it stops being treated like an afterthought and starts being seen as a key business driver.
For PSPs, agencies, and retail brands, this could be the moment to rethink what’s possible — not just with print tech, but with visual storytelling as a whole.
