In this episode of Promo Insiders, ASI’s Theresa Hegel and Brendan Menapace break down the biggest trends and insights from the 2025 PRINTING United Expo, from AI’s growing role in print and promo to the rise of print-on-demand, developments in direct-to-object printing and a growing emphasis on sustainability.
With more than 30,000 registered attendees, 1 million square feet of exhibition space and over 830 exhibitors, PRINTING United Expo 2025 was the biggest show yet. And the PRINTING United Alliance put a major emphasis on education.
“It wasn’t just, ‘Here, buy this stuff, and figure it out,’” Hegel said. “The alliance was trying to show how you can thrive in print and promo.”
Among the biggest trends, AI was by far the most prevalent, with the alliance devoting a pavilion to the technology and many of the classes exploring AI packed with printing professionals eager to learn more. “Every single session, no matter what it was about, there was some part of it that went into using AI as a tool,” Menapace said.
Podcast Chapters
1:00: Education and innovation take the spotlight
6:40: The convergence of print and promo
11:20: Sustainability and smarter growth
15:20: Major trends: AI, print-on-demand and direct-to-film transfers
19:20: Looking ahead: the future of the show and industry
Key Takeaways
• Education took center stage at PRINTING United Expo 2025, with sessions on AI, print-on-demand and business growth drawing large crowds. Exhibitors and the PRINTING United Alliance emphasized teaching attendees how to apply new technologies to expand operations.
• Artificial intelligence dominated conversations, surfacing in nearly every panel as both a powerful tool and a topic of caution. Standing-room-only classes underscored strong demand for practical AI knowledge in print and promo.
• Print-on-demand and direct-to-object printing showed major advances, with activations demonstrating real-time customization and the efficiency of digital manufacturing. Attendees saw how on-demand systems can reduce waste and expand product offerings.
• The convergence of print and promotional products gained momentum as commercial printers explored promo as a natural extension of their businesses. Promo suppliers reported growing interest from print professionals looking to become one-stop shops for clients.
• Sustainability remained a key focus, with speakers stressing incremental progress over perfection. Experts framed sustainability as “a journey, not a destination,” encouraging small consistent improvements across operations.
• The expo’s broader theme of adaptability reflected an industry shifting from analog to digital production, embracing technologies like direct-to-film printing and AI-driven workflows to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
