drupa, the world’s largest printing exhibition, returned to Messe Dusseldorf in Germany amid much anticipation after an eight-year absence.

Taking place May 28 to June 7, the 11-day show received 170,000 visitors from 174 countries, according to the organizers, while 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations showcased their products and technology. International visitors made up 80% of attendees – a record figure. After Europe, Asia was the most strongly represented region with 22% of visitors, followed by America with 12%.

More than 50% of attendees came from the printing industry, while the packaging sector was the second-most represented with a share that “increased significantly.”

Visitor numbers were down from 260,000 at the last show in 2016, a fall of almost 35%. The number of exhibitors fell by just over 10%, from 1,828. (The 2020 edition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

There are plenty of mitigating circumstances behind the decline in these numbers, of course – not least inflation and industry consolidation. B2B events in general are yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers.

But visitor numbers have always been a crude metric by which to judge the success of a tradeshow – as any exhibitor will tell you, quality matters more than quantity. Despite the decrease in visitor numbers, exhibitors spoken to by your correspondent – who attended the first four days of the show while working with Danish film company Inkish TV – were universally positive in their feedback, frequently citing both the wide geographic spread of attendees and the high level of decision-makers.

Both these points were emphasized by Messe Dusseldorf managing director Erhard Wienkamp: “The impressive international flair and, above all, the high decision-making competence of the visitors ensured in-depth and well-founded technical discussions at the trade fair stands on the one hand and many direct investment decisions on the other,” Wienkamp said, adding, “Our exhibitors told us about large-volume purchase agreements.”

Certain halls – those housing the major digital press manufacturers, for example, were heaving with visitors, but others were quiet and some were reduced in size by movable internal walls. There surely was no need for the exhibition to be spread across 18 halls – a more condensed approach might have made for a buzzier atmosphere, as well as a more easily navigable show.

The contentedness of the exhibitors despite the reduced number of visitors is perhaps evidence of a shift in buying habits since the pandemic. Because of increased travel costs, among other reasons, visiting companies send fewer staff to tradeshows. But those who do attend have researched what they want to see and are more targeted in their approach.

The organizers claimed in a post-show press release that “96% of all visitors confirmed that they had fully achieved the objectives associated with their visit.”

“Many key players, such as Bobst, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori, Konica Minolta, Kurz and Landa, reported having signed contracts that significantly exceeded expectations. In some cases, the sales targets set were already achieved in the first few days of the trade fair,” said Messe Dusseldorf.

“At drupa 2024, we experienced first-hand just how relevant and resilient this industry is,” remarked Sabine Geldermann, director, drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies. “The community is determined to set the course for the future together. Exchanging ideas with people from all continents and from all areas of the industry was extremely enriching and inspiring. We were able to welcome around 50 large delegations from various nations, and numerous globally active associations and organizations chose drupa as the ideal setting for their conferences and board meetings.”

Show floor sales

The organizers claimed a record number of deals were signed at drupa 2024, and though no figures were released, it’s clear from the number of announcements from exhibitors during and following the event that a great many sales were completed. Jordi Giralt, chief business officer at Germany-based Kama, told this writer on the show’s third day that the finishing and embellishment machine manufacturer had already signed numerous deals with previously unknown printers.

Among the highlights, Koenig & Bauer said it has received 200 million euros’ ($215 million) worth of legally-binding orders since the end of May – during and in the immediate aftermath of drupa. Among a raft of sales announced by Heidelberg, Thai sheet label printer Thung Hua Sinn ordered no fewer than 38 printing units for Speedmaster XL 75 and CX 75 presses.

HP announced multiple deals signed at the show, including the sales of “more than 15” new HP Indigo and PageWide presses to RR Donnelley & Sons (RRD), which will be installed in its facilities in North America, Central America, and China.

All4Labels signed a “multi-unit, multi-year” deal with the digital press manufacturer, which includes V12, 200K and PageWide Advantage 2200 machines. Nordvalls Etikett, after installing the first HP Indigo V12 in Scandinavia a few months prior, invested in a second V12 at the show.

Australia-based online sign and display business Easy Signs moved into label printing with the purchase of a new HP Indigo 6K digital press and an A B Graphic DigiLase converting system. UK-based Baker Labels sealed two major deals: a new HP Indigo 200K will expand its BakPac flexible packaging division, and a new Durst Tau 340 RSC will be used for its label division.

UK flexible packaging converter Eco Flexibles ordered a second Fujifilm Jet Press FP790, having become the first company outside Japan to install the water-based inkjet press just under a year ago.

Edale sold an FL5 flexo press and servo-driven web-fed FDC-600 flatbed diecutter, which will serve as an inline single-pass carton production system, to Jiangsu, China-based converter Kava – its first sale to the country.

Bobst welcomed visitors to its expansive booth to learn more about a wide range of technologies, from label and package printing to flexibles.

Technology launches

Inkjet technology dominated the major press launches at the show, while there were strong focuses on automation, workflow software, and AI. Also notable were announcements of new partnerships between major suppliers, such as Heidelberg and Canon, collaborating on the B3 format Jetfire 50 and B2 Jetfire 75 presses, based on the latter’s inkjet platforms.

In the commercial and corrugated sectors there were major launches by press manufacturers such as Heidelberg, EFI, Fujifilm, Koenig & Bauer, and Landa, among others. Beyond the wider-web developments, there was plenty for label and packaging converters to be interested in. Here are some highlights:

A B Graphic, celebrating its 70th anniversary, showed its Omega SR13 finishing system and SR seaming rewinder. It demonstrated three further machines on HP’s stand: an inline non-stop winding system for the HP Indigo V12; DigiLase combined with DigiJet; and a Digicon Series 3 equipped with Fast Track.

Bobst showed a new range of features for its cloud-based Connect system, which allows converters to simplify the production process. Bobst’s new cloud-based Digital Front End (DFE) 3.0 was shown for the first time, and the company announced it will be commercially available later this year.

For the folding carton sector, Bobst launched the Expertcut 106 PER diecutter, which the company claims will increase productivity by up to 20%. For flexible packaging, Bobst unveiled its workflow system smartGravure.

Canon’s new label press, the LabelStream LS2000, was given its first live demonstration outside Japan and is expected to be commercially available next year. Printing at up to 131 fpm (40 m/m), it uses new water-based ink designed to comply with the highest standards for indirect food contact in the EU and US. Canon will also be displaying its newest label printing technology at the upcoming Labelexpo Americas event in Rosemont, IL, USA.

Cartes showed its Gemini GE363VJL for tool-free converting featuring the Jet D-Screen for digital embellishment and laser diecutting, as well as a GT365WSHJR embellishment system.

Among launches across various sectors, Durst unveiled the KJet hybrid press, the successor to the XJet and a further collaboration with Omet. The machine combines Omet flexo units with Durst’s RSCi inkjet technology, and it can be customized with different finishing and converting units.

Durst and Koenig & Bauer collaborated on the new hybrid VariJet 106 folding carton press, which the manufacturers believe could pave the way for a digital disruption of folding carton production. It is suitable for food packaging, thanks to its water-based inks, as well as other applications.

Durst CEO Christoph Gamper said, “Digitalization has fully arrived in the printing industry – not to replace traditional methods, but to offer automated production processes through hybrid systems on demand and to complement existing technologies. We are thrilled with the response from the high-quality professional audience.”

Epson showed its latest inkjet label printer, ColorWorks C8000e. Designed to help eliminate costs associated with pre-printing, such as label waste and excessive inventory, the ColorWorks C8000e incorporates Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead technology and achieves an image resolution of 1200 x 600 dpi.

Esko unveiled S2, a new cloud-native platform that includes data sharing and AI functions. All existing Esko applications connect to the new platform. Esko also introduced the CDI Crystal “Quartz Edition” to its range of CDI Crystal XPS plate imaging and exposing systems.

Within the AVT range of automatic inspection systems, Esko introduced the Varnish Inspection Module for Esko AVT Helios. As an add-on module to the Helios system, the Varnish Inspection Module enables viewing and inspection of varnish and coating on various printed substrates simultaneously with print inspection.

ETI promoted its Cohesio system, as well as its new European demo center near San Sebastian, Spain, which opened last year. “We are excited by the potential for our technology in Europe,” said Jokin Iruretagoiena, managing director of ETI’s European subsidiary.

Flint Group showed its dual-curing EkoCure ink series, which eases the transition from traditional UV to UV LED curing. Also on show was the Evolution De-inking Primer and Caustic-Resistant Overprint Varnish (OPV), designed to enhance sustainability in packaging and to improve material yield during the recycling process. EkoCure Ancora, a food-contact material (FCM) certified ink technology with dual curing capabilities, was also highlighted.

Fujifilm showcased its new Jet Press FP790 flexible packaging press, which enables converters to enjoy short-run flexible packaging printing at speeds of up to 164 fpm (50 m/m) on film substrates of up to a maximum width of 31.1″ (790mm) with a resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi. The new DE1024 Digital Embellishment Printbar, which can be integrated into label presses, adds digital embellishment capabilities such as spot varnish.

Gallus announced that its Gallus One press is now available with a 17.3″ (440mm) web width, up from the previous limit of 13.4″ (340mm), while a new enhanced color gamut for the press adds orange and violet inks. The press manufacturer also promoted its “System to Compose” concept, enabling press units to be seamlessly added, removed or replaced.

GEW highlighted its ArcLED technology, whereby UV Arc and UV LED lampheads can be simply and quickly interchanged on a press. ArcLED capability is available with almost every type of GEW system installation, whether for sheetfed offset, narrow web, mid or wide web machinery, and across a broad range of applications.

Among new offerings in packaging production from Heidelberg was its Speedmaster XL 106, featuring a highly automated end-to-end workflow. Following the market launch of the Boardmaster, Heidelberg plans to extend the range of applications for the new inline flexo web printing system to paper-based flexible packaging.

Attendees were treated to presentations on the latest print trends.

HP filled an entire hall with its digital technology, split into different areas for commercial print, publishing, labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and corrugated packaging.

The company announced the commercial availability of the HP Indigo V12 digital press following several successful beta site installations.

HP also introduced two new B2 presses: the HP Indigo 120K and the HP Indigo 18K. HP unveiled a new A3 sheetfed press, the HP Indigo 7K Secure digital press. Also on show was the HP Indigo 35K HD digital press, the second-generation press for folding cartons. The company unveiled its PrintOS Production Beat Support for analog printing and finishing equipment.

Hybrid Software unveiled MyCloudFlow, a cloud-based SaaS option. It also showcased its PackZ software and CloudFlow modular workflow suite.

Kocher+Beck partnered with IST Metz to demonstrate recent developments in embossing and cutting technologies. These product developments ranged from precision inline offset cutting to intricate inline offset embossing.

Konica Minolta unveiled its AlphaJet digital printing and embellishment line developed with partner MGI Digital Technology. It performs all the processes necessary for package printing, from inkjet printing to embellishment and post-processing, all in one pass. Also on show was the new AccurioJet 60000 B2 inkjet press.

Olaf Lorenz, general manager of international marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said, “drupa has certainly met and exceeded our expectations. Our must-see stand was extremely busy every day – and the feedback from our customers and partners has been fantastic. The icing on the cake was that we have had an unprecedented number of show sales, plus new business leads that we know will lead to more customer announcement stories soon.”

Kurz showed a wide range of finishing products and technologies, including the DM-Maxliner 3D for haptic digital embellishment, UV spot and relief varnishing. The company unveiled the DM-Maxliner 2D for digital metalization.

Also on show was the KPS slim 2.0 (patent pending) cold transfer technology alongside the hot stamping Luxor/Alufin decoration range. The new Silver Line metallic finish and various new security products were also introduced, including TrustSeal, a security label which is customizable to match the customer’s brand.

Landa drew a crowd to its booth, as the company showed its S11 and S11P Nanographic printing presses for commercial printing and folding carton applications and announced multiple sales, including four S11P presses to Cimpress.

Gil Oron, CEO of Landa Digital Printing, said, “drupa 2024 has been a phenomenal event for us. The industry recognized that Nanography is a well proven solution that is changing print for good – and making it a digital one.”

Martin Automatic exhibited its MBS automatic unwind butt/splicer and an LRD automatic rewinder. The MBS is designed for non-stop unwinding in label converting, flexible packaging, light paperboard, pouch, and bag production.

The LRD is a two-spindle non-stop rewinder for label, flexible packaging, pouch, and bag production and can be used with many other specialty webs for narrow to mid-web processes.

Gavin Rittmeyer, VP of sales and marketing, said, “It was good to see old friends but especially meet new ones at drupa, where we engaged in many meaningful discussions with visitors who had definite projects in mind and had done their homework pre-show.”

Maxcess showcased its portfolio of automated web handling products, including the new Fife SmartDrive Actuator and GuideLine Digital Sensor. The new Tidland SmartSlit, RD AutoScore and Control Series Class 1 Electric Knifeholders were also featured to optimize automated slitting performance.

Omet featured an “Innovation Gallery,” which showcased its range of machines while also offering attendees virtual tours of the company’s headquarters in Italy. Among its recent innovations is a new offset print unit for its

Varyflex presses. The company also demonstrated Sfera, its new digital platform for collecting and managing production data from any machine.

Screen showed its new Truepress PAC 520P inkjet press using water-based, food-compliant inks for paper packaging. Also on display was its Truepress Label 350UV inkjet press with a newly developed digital primer unit for label printing.

Xeikon launched the PX3300HD, a new 1200 dpi digital press. The 5-color machine offers a 330mm printing width and speeds up to 70 m/m, even when printing with high opacity white. The press uses a newly developed ink series, PX-Cure LED HD.

drupa, which was on hiatus for eight years, has confirmed it will return in 2028.