As more and more interior designers learn about the possibilities of using wide-format printing in their projects, there are more opportunities for printers—especially those printers who can quickly respond to what’s trending and what interior designers want.
Walking the floors of NeoCon 2023, I saw three significant trends that offer immense opportunities to printers.
Trending at NeoCon 2023
Wallcovering
I mention wallcovering as both a huge trend, but also something I predict will be the first category to become oversaturated. Suddenly everyone with a printer wants to print wallcovering, yet there are so many other substrates out there no one is even considering. I see many opportunities for a printer ready with other offerings, such as coated fabrics, flooring, window films, and laminates.
Acoustics
Acoustics have not gone anywhere. In fact, they have exploded even more. This year, manufacturers were getting creative with acoustic solutions by making them interactive, highly customizable, and almost appearing as stand-alone art installations. While a lot of companies were having fun with cutting and shaping, it became hard to distinguish the different companies after a while. I see a huge opportunity for printing on acoustics to stand out in a crowded field.
Customizing
When I talk to interior designers about the opportunities available with wide-format printing, one of the first questions they ask is, “So, they can print anything?” So many designers already have something in their heads that instantly pops up when they learn about this technology. The opportunity to work with designers on projects is out there for printers ready to devote staff to having someone who speaks their language and can turn their ideas into a reality.
What About Color?
At NeoCon 2023, I continued to see a lot of super saturated, rich pastels, earth tones, and colored neutrals. Overall, color felt grounding, warm, and inclusive. The overarching trends of the show influenced the colors trending. For example, health and wellness in workplaces and commercial spaces is a significant trend right now. Designers are using grounding colors to inspire well-being and find a connection to nature. Also, hybrid workspaces are still a prominent trend in office spaces. Color used in these spaces helps people feel comfortable and safe in areas that are becoming mixed-use.
As more and more designers wake up to the exciting possibilities of wide-format printing, the more opportunities out there for forward-looking printers ready to reach a new market.
Design Trends and Opportunities For PSPs From NeoCon 2023
As more and more interior designers learn about the possibilities of using wide-format printing in their projects, there are more opportunities for printers—especially those printers who can quickly respond to what’s trending and what interior designers want.
Walking the floors of NeoCon 2023, I saw three significant trends that offer immense opportunities to printers.
Trending at NeoCon 2023
Wallcovering
I mention wallcovering as both a huge trend, but also something I predict will be the first category to become oversaturated. Suddenly everyone with a printer wants to print wallcovering, yet there are so many other substrates out there no one is even considering. I see many opportunities for a printer ready with other offerings, such as coated fabrics, flooring, window films, and laminates.
Acoustics
Acoustics have not gone anywhere. In fact, they have exploded even more. This year, manufacturers were getting creative with acoustic solutions by making them interactive, highly customizable, and almost appearing as stand-alone art installations. While a lot of companies were having fun with cutting and shaping, it became hard to distinguish the different companies after a while. I see a huge opportunity for printing on acoustics to stand out in a crowded field.
Customizing
When I talk to interior designers about the opportunities available with wide-format printing, one of the first questions they ask is, “So, they can print anything?” So many designers already have something in their heads that instantly pops up when they learn about this technology. The opportunity to work with designers on projects is out there for printers ready to devote staff to having someone who speaks their language and can turn their ideas into a reality.
What About Color?
At NeoCon 2023, I continued to see a lot of super saturated, rich pastels, earth tones, and colored neutrals. Overall, color felt grounding, warm, and inclusive. The overarching trends of the show influenced the colors trending. For example, health and wellness in workplaces and commercial spaces is a significant trend right now. Designers are using grounding colors to inspire well-being and find a connection to nature. Also, hybrid workspaces are still a prominent trend in office spaces. Color used in these spaces helps people feel comfortable and safe in areas that are becoming mixed-use.
As more and more designers wake up to the exciting possibilities of wide-format printing, the more opportunities out there for forward-looking printers ready to reach a new market.
Kristen Dettoni is the founder and CEO of Design Pool LLC, the only pattern library created exclusively for interior designers. Since 1996, Kristen has worked for mills throughout North America, designing fabrics for automobiles, furniture, and home furnishings. She developed the first sustainable upholstery fabric for office interiors, the first sustainable upholstery fabric for automotive interiors, and was awarded a patent for automotive suspension seating. Kristen believes strongly in the power of good design to transform our environments and experiences.