Initiative Online Print (IOP) convened for its Spring Conference on 23 and 24 April at Probo Print GmbH in Bad Hersfeld. The agenda focused on the re-election of the Board, the admission of new members, the current state of the online print industry, as well as key transformation topics such as Agentic Commerce, Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), and sustainability-related issues including EmpCo and PPWR.
Board Unanimously Re-Elected
During the General Assembly, the current Board was confirmed in office. Bernd Zipper was once again elected Chairman of Initiative Online Print. Roland Keppler and Dominik Haacke were also unanimously elected to the Board for a further two-year term. With this decision, IOP is relying on continuity in leadership in order to further advance its strategic and operational work.
“The confirmation of the Board is both a mandate and a responsibility for us,” said Roland Keppler. “The topics of this Spring Conference clearly demonstrate where the online print industry stands today: we must understand technological change at an early stage, translate regulatory requirements into practical solutions, and at the same time remain capable of action as an industry,” he explained.
In addition, David Johnen (Emarpo GmbH) was re-elected as Auditor, while Ingo Hofmeier (Die Pharmadrucker) was newly elected to the role.
New Members Strengthen European Profile
With immediate effect, the Initiative is being strengthened by three new members who were unanimously admitted to the network.
In his market update, Bernd Zipper outlined where the print and online print industries are heading based on current market developments. Geopolitics, energy prices, and regulation remain not only burdensome factors, but also indicators of a structural realignment. His assessment: the industry is not facing a short-term downturn, but rather a phase in which adaptability will determine market positions.
This became particularly clear when looking at Google UCP and Agentic Commerce. Zipper made it clear that AI-supported purchasing processes are no longer an abstract future scenario, but are already changing the logic of digital commerce. As product searches, price comparisons, and purchasing decisions are increasingly prepared or triggered by AI agents, competition in online print is shifting away from the shop interface alone and towards data quality, interface capability, and machine-readable production logic.
“Anyone still talking about visibility in the shop today must talk tomorrow about visibility for AI agents. The decisive question is not whether the market is changing, but who will be connected early enough to participate,” said Bernd Zipper.
IOP is already addressing this development operationally through its UCP Taskforce. The objective is to assess early signals, derive requirements for the online print industry, and jointly develop viable approaches with members before new market mechanics become urgent operational pressure.
Understanding Regulation, Preparing Data, Building Solutions
The ESG Working Group of IOP is aligning its work in 2026 consistently toward practical implementation. The focus is on key regulatory requirements including PPWR, EmpCo, and EUDR, all of which will become binding and increasingly relevant for the print and online print industries over the course of the year. In addition, the Working Group is addressing voluntary sustainability reporting under VSME and using sector-specific guidance documents for practical orientation.
From May 2026 onwards, the Working Group will begin monthly meetings. Planned activities include news updates on deadlines and guidelines, deep dives into specific topics, best practices from member companies, and open exchange on current challenges.
A key focus is the digital transfer of data for the Digital Product Passport. Relevant attributes are to be identified first, after which a PRINT-DPP-X standard will be further developed on the basis of EUDR-X, incorporating feedback from the industry.
“Sustainability must not remain stuck in PowerPoint slides. We now need to collect data, prepare standards, and build solutions that work in the daily operations of online printers,” said Dominik Haacke, Member of the IOP Board.
IOP as a Driver of the Next Step
With its Spring Conference at Probo in Bad Hersfeld, IOP demonstrated what matters in 2026: providing orientation, assessing developments at an early stage, and moving into action together. The admission of new members, the intensive professional exchange, and the work on concrete strategic priorities make clear that the Initiative is further sharpening its role as a platform and voice of the online print industry.
“The coming years will not become easier, but they will remain manageable if we work together as an industry,” said Bernd Zipper. “IOP is not merely a discussion forum. It is the place where we identify topics, classify them, and translate them into practical solutions together.”
Board Unanimously Re-Elected
During the General Assembly, the current Board was confirmed in office. Bernd Zipper was once again elected Chairman of Initiative Online Print. Roland Keppler and Dominik Haacke were also unanimously elected to the Board for a further two-year term. With this decision, IOP is relying on continuity in leadership in order to further advance its strategic and operational work.
“The confirmation of the Board is both a mandate and a responsibility for us,” said Roland Keppler. “The topics of this Spring Conference clearly demonstrate where the online print industry stands today: we must understand technological change at an early stage, translate regulatory requirements into practical solutions, and at the same time remain capable of action as an industry,” he explained.
In addition, David Johnen (Emarpo GmbH) was re-elected as Auditor, while Ingo Hofmeier (Die Pharmadrucker) was newly elected to the role.
New Members Strengthen European Profile
With immediate effect, the Initiative is being strengthened by three new members who were unanimously admitted to the network.
- ConceptiK, active in the web-to-print business since 2010, supports print and digital projects from concept development through to practical implementation. Its core expertise lies in template design, system integration, and workflow optimisation.
- Print.com serves professional print users ranging from agencies and marketing teams to resellers and print service providers. The company combines digital solutions for print-on-demand, brand control, and workflow management. With a European footprint, local production selection, and a focus on professional print processes, Print.com brings a strong digital perspective to IOP.
- RPI Print positions itself as a technology-driven print-on-demand provider with an international outlook and a European base in Eindhoven. The company combines platform technology, automated workflows, and scalable production to manufacture and deliver personalised print products efficiently. RPI Print contributes expertise in operational excellence, system integration, and data-driven print production to IOP.
In his market update, Bernd Zipper outlined where the print and online print industries are heading based on current market developments. Geopolitics, energy prices, and regulation remain not only burdensome factors, but also indicators of a structural realignment. His assessment: the industry is not facing a short-term downturn, but rather a phase in which adaptability will determine market positions.
This became particularly clear when looking at Google UCP and Agentic Commerce. Zipper made it clear that AI-supported purchasing processes are no longer an abstract future scenario, but are already changing the logic of digital commerce. As product searches, price comparisons, and purchasing decisions are increasingly prepared or triggered by AI agents, competition in online print is shifting away from the shop interface alone and towards data quality, interface capability, and machine-readable production logic.
“Anyone still talking about visibility in the shop today must talk tomorrow about visibility for AI agents. The decisive question is not whether the market is changing, but who will be connected early enough to participate,” said Bernd Zipper.
IOP is already addressing this development operationally through its UCP Taskforce. The objective is to assess early signals, derive requirements for the online print industry, and jointly develop viable approaches with members before new market mechanics become urgent operational pressure.
Understanding Regulation, Preparing Data, Building Solutions
The ESG Working Group of IOP is aligning its work in 2026 consistently toward practical implementation. The focus is on key regulatory requirements including PPWR, EmpCo, and EUDR, all of which will become binding and increasingly relevant for the print and online print industries over the course of the year. In addition, the Working Group is addressing voluntary sustainability reporting under VSME and using sector-specific guidance documents for practical orientation.
From May 2026 onwards, the Working Group will begin monthly meetings. Planned activities include news updates on deadlines and guidelines, deep dives into specific topics, best practices from member companies, and open exchange on current challenges.
A key focus is the digital transfer of data for the Digital Product Passport. Relevant attributes are to be identified first, after which a PRINT-DPP-X standard will be further developed on the basis of EUDR-X, incorporating feedback from the industry.
“Sustainability must not remain stuck in PowerPoint slides. We now need to collect data, prepare standards, and build solutions that work in the daily operations of online printers,” said Dominik Haacke, Member of the IOP Board.
IOP as a Driver of the Next Step
With its Spring Conference at Probo in Bad Hersfeld, IOP demonstrated what matters in 2026: providing orientation, assessing developments at an early stage, and moving into action together. The admission of new members, the intensive professional exchange, and the work on concrete strategic priorities make clear that the Initiative is further sharpening its role as a platform and voice of the online print industry.
“The coming years will not become easier, but they will remain manageable if we work together as an industry,” said Bernd Zipper. “IOP is not merely a discussion forum. It is the place where we identify topics, classify them, and translate them into practical solutions together.”
