Visual 1st: How print leaders are reimagining the future of customization

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At the Print Innovation Panel at Visual 1st, co-moderated by Hans Hartman and Gary Pageau, the Dead Pixels Society, three global print industry leaders—Andreas Roetti of Journi, Philipp Muehlbauer of The Customization Group, and Benjamin Lamparter of District Photo—shared how artificial intelligence, automation, and customer-centric design are reshaping the future of print. From AI-driven creativity to data-enabled personalization, each panelist demonstrated how innovation is fueling both growth and transformation in this evolving industry.

Andreas Roetti, CEO of Journi, opened the session by showcasing how his Vienna-based company uses AI to simplify photo book creation. Journi’s proprietary AI acts as a “digital designer,” automating the layout process without relying on rigid templates. The result: customers can go from app open to completed purchase in under 14 minutes.

“We put the entire creation process on autopilot,” Roetti explained. “Our AI takes photos, text, and graphics and produces beautiful layouts instantly.”

With more than 10 million users worldwide, Journi prioritizes user experience as much as print quality. “A great UX isn’t optional anymore,” he said. “It’s a must.”

Journi’s beginnings were humble—and digital. Originally a travel journaling app, early users asked for printed keepsakes. “Our customers pulled us into print,” Roetti recalled. The pivot not only saved the startup from “near-death experiences” but made it profitable. Today, Journi serves customers across Europe, the U.S., and Australia, continuing to expand its digital ecosystem and AI design tools.

Next, Philipp Muehlbauer, CEO and co-founder of The Customization Group (TCG), described how his global company produces 2.5 million customized products every day—ranging from photo canvases to textiles and stationery.

“Our mission is to revolutionize e-commerce and mass customization with affordable, high-quality products,” said Muehlbauer.

TCG operates across four main pillars: direct-to-consumer brands, retail partnerships with chains like Aldi and Rossmann, a white-label fulfillment platform (MerchOne), and a growing corporate gifting division. The rebrand from Picanova to The Customization Group reflected its evolution from photo printing to full-scale product personalization.

Recent acquisitions have accelerated growth. Buying Orwo brought silver-halide printing in-house, while the acquisition of SendMoments, a Munich-based event gifting company, opened new opportunities in weddings and other life events. “We’re gaining not just production capabilities but valuable data,” Muehlbauer explained. “When you know the date and details of a wedding, you can build meaningful relationships with everyone connected to that event.”

With 700 employees and additional seasonal staff, TCG continues to automate processes and embrace AI. “Growth isn’t about getting bigger—it’s about getting smarter,” he said. “Automation and AI help us scale efficiently and sustainably.”

Representing one of the industry’s oldest and largest fulfillment networks, Benjamin Lamparter, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO) of District Photo, shared how the 75-year-old company transitioned entirely from silver halide to digital printing. District Photo operates seven facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—spanning more than a million square feet of production space.

“We were one of the largest silver halide consumers,” Lamparter said. “But the equipment was at the end of its life. Reinvesting in outdated technology made no sense.”

After years of R&D, District Photo now uses high-speed digital inkjet systems to meet the same quality standards as film-based printing. The shift also supports sustainability goals and improves efficiency. “It’s paying off—in cost, consistency, and environmental responsibility,” Lamparter noted.

District Photo remains focused on wholesale fulfillment for major retailers and global brands, not direct consumer sales. “AI is helping us analyze production data, automate quality control, and optimize our workforce,” Lamparter added. “When you process millions of orders a day, small improvements create massive impact.”

Panelists agreed that customer behavior and data trends increasingly drive product innovation.

For Muehlbauer, new products often come directly from customer requests. “One of our Shopify partners asked for personalized dog doormats— ‘Hans and Gary also live here’—and we sold millions,” he said, laughing. “That’s how fast market trends can evolve.”

Lamparter echoed the point: “Many of our innovations come from our retail partners’ ideas. The challenge is making those efficiently and affordably at scale.”

Roetti emphasized Journi uses data insights to refine offerings. “It’s not magic—it’s smart data use,” he said. “AI helps us predict what customers want before they even ask.”

The discussion also highlighted the continued appeal of greeting cards and event-based print products. Muehlbauer noted cultural differences between markets: While greeting cards dominate in the U.S. and U.K., German-speaking regions focus more on “occasional gifting.” Lamparter added that American cards have evolved rapidly: “Five years ago, a simple flat card was fine. Now consumers expect foiling, embossing, custom envelopes—premium touches.”

All three agreed that print’s emotional value remains unmatched. “Whether it’s a photo book, an invitation, or a personalized canvas, print creates connection,” Roetti said.

How AI is transforming every layer of print

Artificial intelligence is now embedded across the entire print ecosystem:

• Journi leverages AI for automated photo layouts and UX design.
• TCG applies AI in logistics, quality control, and even marketing—recently launching its first fully AI-generated ad campaign.
• District Photo uses AI for production analytics and automated quality checks.

“AI may not directly create growth in manufacturing, but it prevents waste and drives smarter decisions,” said Muehlbauer.

“AI enhances every touchpoint—from creation to conversion, said Roetti”

“AI won’t replace people overnight,” said Lampater, “but it’s making teams more intelligent and our systems more scalable.”