FTA FORUM INFOFLEX arrived in Milwaukee, WI, USA, to highlight the newest trends shaping the future of flexographic printing. During the event, taking place April 26-29, 2026, industry experts presented on where the industry is heading.

Meanwhile, a dedicated exhibition space allowed suppliers to showcase their newest solutions designed to help label and package printers.

The FORUM presentation slate featured 87 speakers across 23 sessions, ranging on topics from inks and prepress to leadership and sustainability. The industry’s importance was on full display during each session and the exhibition.

“Flexo touches millions of products and people every single day,” stated Nathan Ridnouer, president, FTA. “The great majority of consumers never even think about it, but everyone in this room knows how much skill and craftsmanship go into the products you interact with every day.

“This event represents something truly special for our industry,” added Ridnouer. “This community is pretty remarkable. We come together to learn, share, and move the industry forward.”

The FTA also emphasized the next generation of flexo printers. Ridnouer, in partnership with the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, conducted a Flexo Draft, designed to provide inspiration for the future workforce.

“Today we face one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever seen,” remarked Ridnouer. “We spend a lot of time talking about the technology – such as AI, automation, and digital workflows – and they’re all important. Flexo has never been as advanced as it is today. But the biggest challenge, and companies are facing the same reality – countless skilled positions go unfilled all the time.”

Addressing the challenge

Ridnouer addressed the Silver Tsunami, where many who have built this industry have or are approaching retirement age. A recent FTA survey illustrated that 46.6% are highly vulnerable to the Silver Tsunami. Plus, the FTA cites a need for an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 flexo press operator jobs each year.

While the prospects are daunting, there is great opportunity for the flexo industry. Through high school, training programs, college programs, educational partnerships, mentorships, and more, there are pathways to introduce talented people into an industry they might never have heard of before.

“Once they discover flexo, they discover an industry that values skill craftsmanship and the ability to build long, successful careers,” noted Ridnouer. “Today, we have the chance to provide the same opportunity for the next generation. Someone walks into a pressroom for the first time and they don’t know about an anilox roll or registration. But someone in that pressroom takes the time to teach them, and that new person becomes the next great operator. Eventually they become the mentor teaching someone else. That’s how this industry has always worked.

“As presses continue to evolve, technology will always continue to change,” Ridnouer added. “But one thing that won’t change is the industry will always depend on people. Every pressroom has a story – our responsibility today is to make sure that story continues.”

The future of packaging

Rory Marsoun, director, Global Flexo Print Excellence, Esko, looked at the advancements of the past decade and where the label and package printing industry is heading in the future.

Marsoun cited three major trends for the future: Compliance, Digital Printing, and Knowledge Crisis.

Compliance, specifically in regards to sustainability, will shape the landscape of packaging in the future. In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation stated there would be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. At the same time, only 2% of flexible packaging was recyclable.

In the US, legislation is taking hold. In 2026, PPWR, Digital Product Passports, PFAS bans are all hot topics. Meanwhile, seven US states currently have EPR laws. Plus, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia are all highly probable for 2026.

Converters will play a large role in the quest for sustainability and recyclability, too. “Brands react to consumer demand,” said Marsoun. “A lot of them have stated sustainability goals and targets, but most of these brands had to pull back on those targets that they had set. The reason: we weren’t ready with all the technologies to do it. The converter ecosystem wasn’t ready.”

New substrates, ink reformulation, and food-safe packaging will all play a role in the future.

In addition, digital printing is changing the flexographic landscape. According to Marsoun, the label industry has been most impacted by digital printing. Currently, digital labels account for 23.3% of the market.

“Nearly a quarter of all label printing is being printed digitally,” said Marsoun.

“It’s not flexo vs. digital, either,” Marsoun continued. “For me it seems that way because if digital wins then the business I’m in suffers. From a converter standpoint, there should be no allegiance to process. It’s how you produce a job for a customer in the most economical way.”

Finally, workforce will definite the next decade of flexo. The Workforce crisis was recognized 10 years ago, as the flexo industry was losing two people for every one coming in. Marsoun cited FTA data, showing 95% of converters struggle to find skilled operators and technicians. There has also been a  15.2% average productivity loss from knowledge gaps. Additionally, 67% report increased downtime from employee turnover.

“There are certain areas where technology will definitely help,” said Marsoun. “AI will have a tremendous impact in prepress. It’s different because the prepress vendor can take all their knowledge and bake it into the software. I think the tools will get better and better, and the opportunity will be there to become more efficient. The workforce will be smaller. That’s not a failure, that’s the reality.”

By 2036, the flexo industry will need to see optimization across more variables, simultaneously. Plus, there will need to be more capability across more processes. This will mean adopting newer flexo, digital, and hybrid technologies.

People will still play a vital role. Therefore, converters will need more investment in the people who run the presses. “Don’t think the technology is going to do everything,” said Marsoun. “We’re always going to need people to solve problems.”