8 Articles: VistaPrint Joins Google Gemini, Epson, Ricoh AI, Fujifilm & Print Advertising Fights Back!

The global printing industry is entering a new era as AI-powered printing, digital inkjet technology, 3D printing growth and renewed interest in traditional print advertising reshape the market. VistaPrint is partnering with Google Gemini to bring print services into AI-powered conversations, while Epson is integrating Adobe Express with professional printing to simplify the journey from digital design to finished printed products (WalasTech; Astig.ph). In a major boost for print media, new global research from FIPP and UPM Communication Papers suggests that printed magazine advertising outperforms social media and influencer advertising in consumer trust, relevance and happiness, reinforcing print’s potential value for advertisers competing in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace (UPM’s global research report). Meanwhile, International Paper is considering selling its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business while progressing with its planned spin-off, potentially reshaping its global paper and packaging operations (Ink World Magazine). The industrial 3D printing market is also accelerating, with worldwide shipments of 3D printing systems rising 31% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, according to CONTEXT, as unit shipments increased across three of four price categories (3Druck.com). In flexible packaging, ePac Flexible Packaging has formed a strategic partnership with Fujifilm to expand its digital printing capabilities with Fujifilm inkjet technology (Printweek). Sustainability and artificial intelligence are also central to the industry’s evolution: Ricoh and ETRIA have launched “Circular New,” a manufacturing concept focused on resource circulation and competitive sustainability (PR Newswire), while Ricoh has reportedly developed a 35-billion-parameter AI model for on-premises Japanese document processing, highlighting new opportunities in secure, AI-driven document management (International Business Times Japan). From AI printing tools and commercial inkjet packaging to 3D printing expansion and evidence of print advertising’s emotional impact, these developments reveal the major trends shaping the future of the printing, paper and packaging industries.