What is your most memorable moment from Intergraf events?

Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be expelled, Jean Paul wrote. Calling Intergraf a paradise might be stretching it, but some of the memories resurfacing today feel remarkably close.

It begins with arrival and check-in at the conference, where the long-haul journey to get to these carefully chosen venues makes them sit in a gentle twilight. Reuniting with long-standing colleagues and friends feels less like a formal gathering and more like a family reunion, which can be as demanding as it is enjoyable, requiring both time and patience.

Evening events often stretch well past a sensible hour, testing one’s stamina and making it harder to appear refreshed, composed, and punctual the next morning. Yet missing any conversation, whether inside or outside the auditorium, hardly feels like an option. Delivering a presentation on minimal sleep, with no time to spare for rest, becomes an experience one is unlikely to forget.

After more than 25 years of participation, I can safely say Intergraf Currency+Identity has always been worth the effort, accompanying my journey from young Turk and eager newcomer to seasoned statesman. Rather than singling out one defining moment, what stands out most is the experience as a whole and the sense of being so well looked after throughout.

What will be the biggest challenge or opportunity in the next decade for currency and identity?

The demise of physical cash and ID is neither imminent nor instantaneous. Yet, any complacency stemming from past inaccurate predictions creates a slippery slope that could gradually render cash and physical ID obsolete.

Both aspects of substrate-based value face intrinsic challenges in the digital age. Each needs to link its physical and digital forms to maintain the distinct advantages of personal control and security over cash and identity in the future.

In the case of cash, the greatest challenge lies in the cost burden of the cash cycle. New approaches may be needed, such as reimagining the banknote to function at least partially as a one-way instrument, reducing the need for the cumbersome collection and redistribution of notes. Production costs for a secure, usable note could be lowered to allow for its destruction once it is returned in digital form. While this may sound innovative, it is not entirely new. In the 1970s, the so-called EURO Cheque—conceived and introduced by Siegfried Otto—was a concept that closely resembled this idea.

Functional security features that enable the secure communication of “check-in” and “check-out” status to both the public and cash machines may take longer to implement. However, with the development of integrated functional devices on flat substrates, their arrival is a realistic possibility in the future.

In the case of identification, E-IDs used independently of their physical or digital counterparts, are likely to be adopted first for visa management due to their advantages in issuance, usage, and controlled access to limited personal data, before eventually replacing traditional ID cards and passports.

What role should Intergraf play in shaping this future?

In an industry defined by constant reinvention, the value of a neutral space for exchanging bold ideas and breakthrough concepts is undeniable. Intergraf stands uniquely positioned to bring together both established leaders and pioneering newcomers in one dynamic arena. By showcasing a dedicated segment on emerging technologies beyond the usual marketing conversations, the event will highlight innovation, spark collaboration, and cement its role as a must-attend platform shaping the future of the industry.

Johannes Schaede
Orell Füssli AG