The Big Dance Seminar on March 19, 2026, hosted by All Printing Resources (APR) in the Chicago area, brought together converters, suppliers, and technology partners for a focused look at the challenges and opportunities shaping flexographic printing today.

Held against the backdrop of the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, the event blended education and technology with a clear objective: helping converters make smarter investment decisions in an increasingly complex production environment.

Industry challenges set the stage

Opening the event, APR’s Catherine Haynes outlined several of the key pressures facing converters today, including ongoing labor shortages, the need to attract new customers, and increasing demand for supply chain transparency.

At the same time, interest in hybrid and digital printing continues to grow, alongside emerging technologies such as AI, RFID, and 2D barcodes—particularly as regulatory initiatives like Sunrise 2027 begin to take shape.

Automation, advanced digital workflows, and hybrid production strategies were repeatedly cited as areas of focus, reflecting a broader shift toward more connected and efficient operations.

Sustainability and regulation reshape the conversation

A session led by Esko’s Larry Moore and PJ Fronczkiewicz of DuPont highlighted how sustainability is moving from a conceptual goal to a regulatory requirement—particularly in Europe, where initiatives such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are setting aggressive targets around recyclability.

“We make pretty trash,” said Moore, underscoring the industry’s growing awareness of its environmental impact.

Brand owners including Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Unilever are already pushing for more sustainable packaging solutions, placing additional pressure on converters to adapt materials, processes, and production strategies.

For flexible packaging, the discussion reinforced flexo’s position as the dominant process, particularly as gravure faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental footprint.

Technology decisions start with strategy

Across multiple sessions, a recurring theme was the importance of aligning technology investments with clear business objectives.

“Why do technology decisions fail?” one presenter asked. The answer, in many cases, comes down to a lack of defined goals.

Speakers from DuPont, including Julian Fernandez of Cyrel Flexographic Solutions, walked attendees through real-world case studies, including the implementation of new print standards (G7 and GMI), advanced screening technologies, and extended color gamut (ECG).

The message: success depends not just on adopting new technology, but on executing a structured plan—what Fernandez described as “running the plays.”

The plate room emerges as a critical focus

While press technology often dominates investment discussions, the event placed significant emphasis on the plate room as a key area for improvement.

“In many operations, the plate room — not the press — is the limiting factor,” noted Esko’s Kayleigh Anderson.

Despite its critical role in print quality and consistency, the plate room is often overlooked compared to the latest press investments. However, as converters push for greater efficiency and repeatability, attention is shifting upstream.

Advances in LED exposure, screening technologies, and plate materials—including DuPont’s Cyrel platform—are helping to improve performance and consistency while supporting sustainability goals.

As one presenter noted, the plate is increasingly functioning as a “secondary anilox roll,” reinforcing its importance in controlling ink transfer and overall print quality.

Continuous improvement and workforce development

Beyond equipment, the event also emphasized the importance of training and continuous improvement.

Sessions led by APR and Esko highlighted the need for ongoing education following new technology implementation, ensuring that operators and teams can fully leverage new capabilities.

That focus is especially critical as workforce challenges persist across the industry. With experienced operators retiring and fewer new entrants entering the field, converters are under pressure to simplify processes, standardize workflows, and reduce reliance on specialized skill sets.

Looking ahead

The Big Dance Seminar made one thing clear: the future of flexo will be shaped as much by process and people as by technology.

From sustainability mandates and regulatory pressure to workforce constraints and evolving customer expectations, converters are navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

For many, the path forward will depend on making smarter, more strategic investments — not just in presses, but across the entire production workflow.