Innovative digital printing and automation are transforming interior decoration, enabling customisation and sustainability. Experts from FESPA, Canon, and Neolt discussed how advancements in materials, software, and printing techniques (like multi-layer UV) are creating high-quality, personalised, and textured designs while reducing waste and energy consumption. This fusion of technology and creativity is shaping the future of interior design.
The interior decoration industry presents a landscape of innovation and opportunity thanks to the continuous development of intelligent digital printing technologies and automated ancillary equipment.
From customisation to sustainability, innovation is reshaping the way interior spaces are envisioned and brought to life. This article dives into how cutting-edge advancements in printing, material usage, and automation are giving businesses, designers, and manufacturers the tools to create inspiring interiors while addressing market demands and consumer expectations.
Here we present extracts from a panel discussion held at the Fespa Global Expo with the panelists:
- David Sweetnam Director of Textile, Production and Wide Format Lab Testing Services at Keypoint Intelligence
- Mathew Faulkner is EMEA Director, Marketing and Innovation, Wide Format Printing Group at Canon Europe.
- Ettore Briccoli Pontiggia, International Sales Manager/ Owner at Neolt
- Host: Debbie McKeegan, Fespa Textile Ambassador
Whether you’re a designer, manufacturer, or print professional, this exploration of smart technologies in interior decoration will showcase how the integration of creativity and innovation is shaping a rapidly evolving market sector.
The Rising Importance of Smart Interior Decoration – How Innovation is Reshaping the Industry?
Innovation in digital printing, software, inline technologies and materials technology is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating high-quality, customised designs efficiently and sustainably. Utilising digital technologies designers now have the ability to print on diverse surfaces – from textiles to wall coverings – with unprecedented precision.
This shift doesn’t just apply to improving manufacturing processes. It has expanded possibilities for interior decorators, enabling personalised and immersive designs that previously seemed unattainable. Wall panels, custom wallpapers, textiles, flooring and furniture are now being reimagined, with technology driving both the process, special effects and the creative outcome.
“Advancements in printing technology are fundamentally reshaping creative industries,” says Debbie McKeegan, Fespa Textile Ambassador. “The ability to implement intricate designs on traditional and unconventional materials is not merely a technical achievement – it is a catalyst for entirely new design methodologies and market opportunities. Paving the way for bold innovations in both functionality, durability and surface aesthetics.”
Opportunities in Personalisation and Customisation – Redefining Customer Expectations
Personalisation and customisation have unlocked significant commercial advantages for industry professionals. Designers can now offer unique, creative spaces tailored to individual client preferences, with technology enhancing the ability to integrate specific colours, textures, and styles – Leveraging exclusivity to create a paradigm shift within the creative and print industries.
Imagine transforming a boutique hotel’s walls with tactile, bespoke designs that echo its surroundings or personalising office spaces to reflect a company’s brand identity? This undeniable trend towards personalisation reflects a clear market demand for more bespoke, human-centric designs.
“With advanced digital technologies, we now have the tools to make personalised projects accessible for all – from retail fit-outs to immersive home interiors,” explains Matthew Faulkner, EMEA Director of Marketing and Innovation at Canon Europe.
Advancements in Digital Printing Technology – Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Modern Techniques
Smart manufacturing is at the heart of digital printing innovation. One of the standout developments has been the ability to replicate traditional analog surface techniques digitally at scale. Processes that were once expensive to develop and execute – labour intensive and inefficient, can now be executed with precision and purpose.
Examples of this innovation include Canon’s advanced digital technologies, where material flexibility and intelligent curing mechanisms allow for low-heat, energy-efficient printing. The resulting benefit? Textured surfaces, minimal distortion of materials and a significant reduction in production errors. Such advancements empower manufacturers to achieve dimensional stability, ensuring sharper, cleaner final outputs on surfaces like wall panels, graphics, fine-art and other décor materials.
Texture and Surface Effects are the New Luxury – Flat print is out. Dimensional printing is redefining luxury in surface design. Whether it’s subtle wood grains or bold metallic finishes, the ability to enhance tactile surfaces makes all the difference in creating mood and style within interior environments.
Technology Enabling the Future
Canon’s multi-layer UV printing technology, allows multiple layers of ink application to produce textured finishes. These techniques are helping designers create realistic wood and stone effects for retail and hospitality or custom embossed wallpapers that add depth and character. Surface innovation now extends the visual story into the physical feel, allowing spaces to engage all senses.
Software and Automation in Digital Printing – Simplifying the Workflow
Automation has become indispensable for the modern interior decoration industry. As client demands grow more complex, printers and manufacturers require seamless workflows to maintain efficiency and scalability.
Innovative software solutions have transformed the automation landscape, enabling digital printers to synchronise creative design processes with manufacturing workflows seamlessly. Software now allows for handling intricate designs, resizing dimensions intuitively, and supporting complex projects without overburdening operators or creatives. These developments are not just making production smarter but also democratising design capabilities across businesses of varying sizes.
Ettore Briccoli Pontiggia, International Sales Manager/ Owner at Neolt emphasised “The adoption of automated, precision cutting systems for wallpapers represents a key step forward in the digital factory concept. Used together, digital print machinery, software and cutting technology innovations provide a seamless, versatile, stand-alone manufacturing solution, accessible to manufacturers of all sizes. Enabling them to achieve unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in their wallcovering production processes whilst empowering on-demand manufacture at any scale.”
Sustainability in Interior Decoration – Reducing Waste and Energy Use
From the consumer to the manufacturer, there’s a rising expectation to improve environmental best practices, and digital printing technologies are doing just that. Canon and Neolt machines, for example, utilise technologies that dramatically reduce electricity consumption and process waste. This results in reduced operational costs while minimising the manufacturing footprint, supporting both efficiency and eco-responsibility.
The use of sustainable materials in décor products is expanding. From recycled and organic textiles based wallcoverings, to certified inks supported by low-energy curing systems, businesses and innovators are finding new ways to align their environmental goals with market demands.
“The evolution of smart decorative printing is not just about advancements in technology; it’s about empowering creatives and industries to realise their visions sustainably and efficiently.” David Sweetnam, Director of Textile, Production and Wide Format Lab Testing Services at Keypoint Intelligence
Creativity and Brand Identity – Combining Artistic Vision with Technological Precision
Technology may drive innovation, but creativity remains essential. One of the most striking examples of this synergy is the use of digital printing to retain historic authenticity. Winning a bronze award in the Printeriors category using Canon technology and created by PS Press – a centuries-old building The Fiori House in Moss, Norway – was transformed using advanced digital techniques which reproduced intricate original designs, across multiple surfaces – preserving the building’s heritage while updating its interiors.
Customised designs enable businesses to communicate their values and aesthetics in compelling, visual ways. Whether it’s creating inspiring retail environments or crafting unique restaurant interiors, the possibilities are vast and deeply impactful for building brand differentiation.
What Does the Future Hold for Smart Interior Decoration?
The integration of intelligent printing and manufacturing technologies is pushing the boundaries of interior decoration. Automation and software continue to evolve, allowing manufacturers to deliver unparalleled creativity and efficiency. Coupled with the industry’s commitment to sustainability, we are entering a new era where artisanal quality can be achieved at scale without compromising environmental values.
Whether you’re printing customised wall coverings or creating interior schemes and concepts that redefine brand identity, businesses that adopt these technologies will not only streamline their processes but also stay ahead of shifting market trends. Now is the time to innovate, create, and inspire.
Discover the latest news regarding textile printing and automation by signing up for FESPA World, FESPA’s free monthly newsletter that is available in English, German and Spanish.