Online Print Summit 2026: The first partners are now on board

The Online Print Summit will kick off next year not only with a new name and a new venue – the real highlight of OPS 2026 lies in its new event formats: C-Level Classrooms, Executive Briefings, and the Mind on Tap Stage. There, as well as throughout the main conference, everything will revolve around the OPS motto: “Re:Inventing Print for the On-Demand Era.”

Continuously putting print to the test and constantly reinventing itself is at the heart of what the partners of the Online Print Summit do. They are committed to making everyday production easier for printing companies, whether with modern production machines, intelligent software solutions, or smart services. As a result, the lineup of OPS partners for next year is once again top-class.

High-caliber partners support the OPS

The Durst Group from Brixen will be joining the Online Print Summit as a major partner for the first time in 2026. While the CEO and co-owner of the group, Christoph Gamper, was the keynote speaker on the OPS stage in 2025, Durst will be the OPS’s largest partner next year. The manufacturer of large-format printing machines for demanding applications and intelligent software solutions has also come up with something special for its appearance as a major partner. However, what that is will remain a secret for now.

Loyal partners and returning participants

The ranks of partners also include numerous loyal figures from the Online Print Summit. rissc solutions from Ludwigsburg and ctrl-s from Stuttgart have been involved for more than ten years and have long been established players at OPS. While rissc solutions enables print data production for mass customization projects in both open and closed shops, ctrl-s has dedicated itself to the end-to-end automation of the entire production workflow as a process specialist. The Berlin-based software company Printess, which presented its namesake editor on the OPS stage in 2022 while still a start-up, has since become part of the who’s who in mass customization and online print – and after participating in 2025, will again be on board next year as a Gold Partner.

The same goes for Cloudlab: the Dortmund-based developer of web-to-print software for commercial print and packaging will return to the Online Print Summit next year as a Gold Partner. Dutch large-format specialist Probo will also be one of the Gold Partners at OPS 2026 and, in addition to its partner video and exhibition stand, will be contributing to the visual design of the location.

“Returning players” and new partners

The organizers of the Online Print Summit, the Verbände Druck und Medien (Print and Media Associations) and zipcon consulting, are also delighted to have Crispy Mountain on board again as a bronze partner. The Mainz-based software company has set itself the task of providing the operating system for a modern print shop with Keyline. Those who are more interested in the actual printing process will find answers from bronze partners hp and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. While hp is best known for its digital printing machines and, among other things, its Smartstream solutions for the highly industrialized customization of print products, the Online Print Summit is also supported by Heidelberg, the world’s largest manufacturer of offset printing machines.

Executive briefings celebrate their premiere at OPS2026

A special place in the Online Print Summit 2026 program is reserved not only for partners, but also for executive briefings. These solution-oriented, hands-on sessions offer in-depth insights into solutions, strategies, and trending topics and are designed exclusively by OPS partners. With a limited number of participants per Executive Briefing, the 45-minute sessions are sure to facilitate intensive exchange among participants and deliver high-value content. The booking period for partners has just begun. Visitors to OPS 2026 can look forward to finding out which nine Executive Briefings will soon be announced in the official program.

New formats provide additional value

In addition to the executive briefings, two other formats are making their debut: the C-Level Classrooms and the Mind on Tap Stage. The three C-Level Classrooms will focus primarily on strategic topics and future technologies that are crucial for the successful future orientation of companies. These deep-dive sessions are therefore specifically aimed at executives from the online printing industry.

The Mind on Tap Stage will create an open forum for exchange in the foyer of the Alte Kongresshalle. On a small stage, the topics of the day will be examined, contextualized, and discussed in a relaxed atmosphere – participants will be able to join in and ask questions.

Organizers and partners make a well-oiled team

“Our partners are more than just sponsors – they are actively shaping OPS 2026. With the new Executive Briefings, we are creating spaces for genuine exchange on an equal footing. This will once again make OPS a ‘laboratory for online print innovations’, with close ties to practical applications, open to discussion and providing clear inspiration for 2026,” explains Jens Meyer, Managing Director of VDM Beratung GmbH. “Together with our partners and participants, we will once again make the Online Print Summit the leading event in the world of online printing.”

“The Online Print Summit shows how powerful partnerships can be when the content is truly useful,” adds Bernd Zipper, founder and CEO of co-organizer zipcon consulting. “It is not only the executive briefings, but also the new C-level classrooms, the Mind on Tap Stage, and, of course, the conference itself that bring decision-makers, experts, and providers directly together. This ensures more dialogue and more substance—and, last but not least, more momentum. And that is exactly what we need right now to take online printing further forward.”

The organizers

zipcon consulting GmbH is a global consulting company for the communications, print and media industry with a focus on online print and digital transformation. The company sees itself as an independent and comprehensive technology and strategy consultant. zipcon also produces market studies and various case studies for e-business print, mass customization and multichannel publishing. Leading companies in the online print industry rely on the expertise of this company. www.zipcon.de

Verband Druck und Medien Beratung GmbH is the consulting company of the Printing and Media Associations. With in-depth industry expertise in management, controlling, environmental issues, sustainability, as well as production and processes, it supports the industry and positions itself as a driver of innovation and business success. Backed by the regional associations and the German Printing and Media Industries Federation, it consolidates expertise and future perspectives for the industry under the umbrella brand “Verband Druck und Medien.” www.vdm-beratung.de