Canon showcased its latest large format technology at FESPA Global Print Expo 2026

Welcome to this week’s roundup from Design Supply — your source for large format (wide format) printers from Canon, Epson, HP and other leading brands, plus the paper, media and ink that keep them running. Each week we bring you a short look at what’s happening in the wide format printing world alongside a practical tip you can put to use straight away.

Canon Showcased Its Latest Technology at FESPA Global Print Expo 2026

Canon used this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo to put its large format line-up on show, running an on-stand experience built around the idea of print’s “power to move.” It’s a reminder that manufacturers are continuing to invest heavily in large format hardware and workflow, not just their office and production ranges.

Canon’s Commercial Printer Designs Picked Up Red Dot Awards

Canon’s printer portfolio — spanning production and commercial models — was recognised with Red Dot Design Awards this summer, alongside the launch of the new ColorStream 7000 series for web-fed production inkjet. While that series is aimed at production print rather than wide format graphics specifically, it signals the direction the big manufacturers are pushing: faster throughput, tighter colour control and smarter workflow software — trends that tend to filter down into the large format ranges too.

Trade Shows Worth Watching This Quarter

If you’re weighing up a new printer or want to see the latest media and ink innovations in person, two FESPA regional events are coming up: FESPA Africa 2026 (8–10 September) and FESPA Mexico 2026 (10–12 September). The next FESPA Global Print Expo is already scheduled for April 2027 — worth diarising if you’re planning a major equipment upgrade next year.

This Week’s Tip: Matching Media to Ink Type

One of the most common issues we help customers troubleshoot isn’t the printer at all — it’s a mismatch between the ink type and the media being used. A quick refresher:

• Aqueous (dye/pigment) printers — such as many Canon imagePROGRAF and Epson SureColor models — need coated or resin-coated media designed to absorb water-based ink without feathering or cockling. Uncoated stock will soak up ink unevenly and dull your colours.
• Latex printers — HP’s Latex range being the best-known — are more forgiving on media choice since the ink cures on the surface rather than soaking in, but they still need enough heat resistance in the substrate to handle the curing process without warping.
• UV-curable printers can print on almost anything, including rigid boards, but the media still needs a surface that the coating will actually bond to — some glossy plastics need a primer or a UV-specific film.

If you’re ever unsure which media will play nicely with your ink set, it’s worth checking before you commit to a large roll — a mismatch usually shows up as poor adhesion, colour shift, or ink that never fully dries. We’re always happy to talk through the right paper, film or board for your printer and the job at hand. Check out our handy media search tool here.