Welcome to this week’s Wide Format Brief, your curated roundup for large format print pros. From dimensional printing breakthroughs and inkjet wins to education outreach and sustainable signage materials — we’ve got big moves, smart tech, and some shiny new awards. Let’s dive in. 👇
📢 This Week in Wide Format Brief:
Roland DG debuts DIMENSE DA-640 for texture-rich signage
Agfa wins big at Pinnacle Awards with automation-first inkjet
Canadian students use Drytac media in vibrant mural projects
Fiery grabs five Pinnacle Product Awards
Soyang Europe adds luxurious backlit textile to portfolio
📰 Top 5 Headlines This Week
1. Roland DG Introduces DIMENSE DA-640 for Textured Digital Prints
Summary: Roland DG launched its first textured inkjet printer under the DIMENSE brand, the DA-640, aimed at creating dimensional surface effects for decorative applications.
Key takeaways:
Offers a 64” print width with integrated structure and color printing.
Prints textured wallpaper, packaging, or interior signage.
Targets interior designers and décor-focused PSPs.
Why It Matters:The DA-640 represents a leap beyond color into tactile creativity — a compelling differentiator in saturated markets. Expect texture-rich substrates to trend upwards in interior retail and custom décor niches.
2. Agfa Scores Triple Win at Pinnacle Product Awards 2025
Summary: Agfa’s Onset Panthera FB3216, Panthera Autoloader, and Jeti Tauro MAX BOTS each won awards for innovation in quality and automation.
Key takeaways:
Recognized for next-gen inkjet automation and throughput.
Focused on rigid/roll flexibility with robotic substrate handling.
Panthera platform emphasizes high-gloss + high-speed synergy.
Why It Matters:Agfa’s haul at Pinnacle reflects a broader trend: automation isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore — it’s table stakes for competitive LFP shops.
3. Students Use Drytac ReTac Smooth 150 for Public Mural Project
Summary: A student-led art initiative in Canada used Drytac’s ReTac Smooth 150 to produce visually stunning and removable wall murals.
Key takeaways:
Durable yet removable adhesive perfect for public institutions.
Print service provider: Graffiti Art Programming.
Project showed how PSPs can collaborate with community-led design.
Why It Matters:Projects like this highlight how print can drive engagement, education, and accessibility — and it’s a reminder of the power of good media choice.
4. Fiery Earns Five Pinnacle Product Awards
Summary: Fiery received recognition across software and DFEs, including Fiery® XF, Fiery® Impress, and automation tools like Fiery IQ.
Key takeaways:
Celebrated for enhancing RIP intelligence and output precision.
Recognized for job costing, analytics, and workflow optimization.
Honored in “Software – Output”, “Color Management”, and “RIP” categories.
Why It Matters:Software and RIPs are now front and center in driving print profitability. Expect growing demand for cloud-based RIP and color calibration tools.
5. Soyang Europe Launches ST-1291 Hera Luxury Backlit Textile
Summary: Soyang Europe has expanded its fabric lineup with a new premium backlit material, ST-1291 Hera, ideal for retail display and lightbox signage.
Key takeaways:
Offers wrinkle resistance, vivid color saturation, and soft hand feel.
Flame-retardant and UV-stable.
Reinforces shift from rigid media to textile displays.
Why It Matters:This release hits the intersection of design flexibility, sustainability, and brand aesthetics — particularly relevant for retail and exhibition markets.
🎯 This Week’s Strategic Takeaway
Automation won the headlines — from Agfa’s robotics to Fiery’s software suite. Print shops need to evaluate whether their current setups are scalable. Consider auditing your workflow bottlenecks — if you’re not moving faster and smarter by 2026, you’ll be left behind.
❌ This Week’s Noise
A recycled post about “QR codes making a comeback” in print signage resurfaced — again. Yes, they’re still around. But this “comeback” happens every year. Unless it’s tied to actual data capture, dynamic content, or ROI metrics, it’s not news.
📅 What’s Coming Up
Wide-format Summit – July 21–23 – Miami, FLAn executive-level event for wide-format leaders. Expect 1:1 meetings with tech partners and boardroom briefings on workflow scaling, automation, and operational excellence.
🧠 Smarter Every Week
Don’t treat print automation like it’s a one-size-fits-all upgrade. Pick one process bottleneck — then automate that. Small gains, big impact.
👋 Thanks for tuning into this week's Wide Format Brief!
Awards, automation, community design, and luxury textiles — there’s more momentum in the wide-format world than ever before. Stay sharp. Stay curious. And as always — keep printing. 🖨️✨