The Fogra Colour Management Symposium (CMS) 2026 marked its tenth anniversary with more than 200 participants from 126 companies across 23 countries, confirming its position as a central meeting point for colour management professionals. Held in Munich on 25–26 February, the fully booked event featured seven themed sessions covering topics from digital customer expectations and packaging colour standardisation to HDR in print production, proofing on real substrates, and AI in media workflows. Emerging trends such as image-based measurement, ISO 12647-2:2026+, hyperspectral measurement, and appearance-based quality control reflected the industry’s continued push toward precision and predictability. A standout moment was the live AI Battle, where experts demonstrated AI-assisted retouching versus traditional methods, offering a transparent look at both the efficiencies and limitations of artificial intelligence in real production environments.

The programme balanced technical depth with practical application, including case studies from brands such as HARIBO, STIHL, and Apple, as well as discussions on ECG standardisation, HDR test setups, and digital transformation in industrial printing. Networking remained a cornerstone of the event, with strong engagement during exhibition sessions and the traditional Bavarian Evening. The strong international turnout from brand owners, research institutions, and print providers highlighted CMS’s global relevance and collaborative spirit. With overwhelmingly positive feedback and the next symposium already scheduled for 23–24 February 2028, Fogra continues to position CMS as a biannual checkpoint for innovation, standards development, and cross-industry knowledge exchange in colour management.

Read more.