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May 9, 2028
Event date:
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May 17, 2028
Event end:
Overview
Drupa 2028 stands as the premier global trade fair for printing technologies, graphic communication, packaging production, and industrial printing solutions. Held every four years in Germany, this massive gathering serves as the ultimate epicentre for technological breakthroughs and industry evolution. The event unites thousands of international professionals to explore the entire value chain of the print sector, from raw materials to advanced digital workflows.
The upcoming edition introduces a major conceptual evolution, shifting from traditional isolated product showcases into a highly interconnected experiential space. The exhibition floor is structured around four distinct experience clusters designed to optimize networking and strategic decision-making. Attendees will witness the future of industrial production through a heavy emphasis on automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
With exhibitors and visitors arriving from over 170 countries, the trade fair fosters cross-border collaboration and provides an unmatched platform for global business development. Manufacturers, designers, and top-tier executives gather here to witness live machinery demonstrations, form strategic partnerships, and discover new market potentials. It is an essential milestone event that defines the technological trajectory of the print and packaging world for years to come.
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Event Highlights
- The exhibition features four newly introduced experience clusters named grow, create, learn, and play to seamlessly connect technology, brands, and community.
- Extensive live demonstrations showcase advanced robotics, automated systems, and artificial intelligence driving efficiency in modern print production.
- Specialized forums highlight sustainable practices, circular economy models, and the latest international environmental regulations impacting the packaging sector.
- Over 1600 international exhibitors present cutting-edge developments in industrial printing, functional print solutions, and high-tech paper converting.
Why Attend
Attending this world-class trade fair offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain deep insights into the rapid technological transformation of the print market. Industry professionals can engage directly with global market leaders, witness complex machinery running in real time, and gain vital knowledge to future-proof their operations. The event serves as a hub for collaborative solution-finding, helping businesses navigate current economic challenges and discover new avenues for growth.
This event is ideal for print service providers, packaging experts, consumer goods manufacturers, high-caliber IT specialists, graphic designers, and marketing agencies. Decision-makers from the global media and trade printing sectors will benefit from the strategic executive briefings and unmatched networking opportunities. Participants will leave with concrete business leads, technical inspiration, and a comprehensive understanding of where the industry is heading.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: May 9 – May 17, 2028
- Event Duration: 9 days
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are sold exclusively online through the official event ticket shop, and no physical tickets are available for purchase at the venue entrances.
- Admission Type: Trade visitors can choose between single-day passes, multi-day passes, or full-event access tickets depending on their scheduling needs.
- Ticket Pricing: Prices range from 70 USD for a standard single-day e-ticket to 250 USD for a comprehensive multi-day pass covering the entire duration.
- Special Seating Options: Open access applies to all primary exhibition halls and main product presentation areas on a first-come, first-served basis.
- VIP Options: Premium upgrades include access to exclusive executive lounges, fast-track registration lanes, and invitations to elite networking evening galas.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Düsseldorf, Germany
- Venue Name: Messe Düsseldorf
- Google Maps Address: Stockumer Kirchstraße 61, 40474 Düsseldorf, Germany
Contact Information
- Email: info@drupa.de
- Phone Number: +49 211 4560 01
- Official Website: https://www.drupa.com/
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.facebook.com/drupa.tradefair
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/drupa-tradefair
- http://www.youtube.com/user/drupaTradeFair
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Düsseldorf International Airport is situated approximately 5.4 kilometers away from the exhibition center.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: The ESPRIT arena / Messe Nord subway station links directly to the venue gates via the U78 line.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Bus line 722 services the south entrance and admission buildings, while the specialized 896 shuttle bus connects the airport directly to the fairgrounds.
- Parking Availability: Large-scale parking spaces named P1 and P2 are located near the arena with high car capacities and direct shuttle buses transporting drivers to the main entrances.
- Directions by Car: Drivers can reach the fairgrounds via the A3 and A44 motorways, following the clearly marked exits directing traffic toward the river Rhine and the exhibition center.
What is this event?
This event is the leading international trade exhibition dedicated entirely to printing technologies, cross-media solutions, and packaging production. It functions as a massive marketplace where global manufacturers present their largest innovations and machinery to a highly specialized professional audience.
The exhibition covers everything from traditional offset printing and functional print applications to digital workflows, material sciences, and commercial converting. It serves as the primary benchmark event that dictates technological trends and industrial standards for the global print community.
Why is it popular?
The immense popularity stems from its strict four-year cycle, turning each edition into a highly anticipated gathering where monumental tech advancements are revealed for the first time. It is widely considered the ultimate destination for global deal-making, attracting top-tier executive management from over 170 countries.
Professionals value the event because it offers a comprehensive view of the entire supply chain under one roof, providing real solutions rather than just product displays. The opportunity to witness massive, complex manufacturing setups operating live creates an irreplaceable experience for industry veterans.
Tips before you go
- Download the official event smartphone app in advance to map out your route through the 17 massive exhibition halls and save key exhibitor booth locations.
- Book your hotel accommodations many months ahead of time because local lodging choices fill up rapidly due to the massive influx of international visitors.
- Wear highly comfortable walking shoes since navigating the sprawling fairground campus involves covering extensive physical distances throughout the day.
- Create a digital business card or QR code ready for scanning to ensure quick, contactless contact exchanges with international exhibitors and peers.
- Review the schedule of special forums and cluster presentations early to register for high-demand expert panels and technical workshops before spaces fill up.
Attendee Experiences
- The sheer scale of the live machinery running simultaneously on the show floor is absolutely breathtaking.
- Shifting the format into interconnected experience clusters made it much simpler to find tailored business solutions this time.
- The networking opportunities here are unmatched as I managed to connect with key suppliers from four different continents in a single afternoon.
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FAQ
What major technical innovations are being emphasized at the event this year?
The exhibition places robotics, highly automated workflows, and artificial intelligence at the absolute forefront of its programming. Visitors will see how these technologies integrate into existing print lines to optimize production speed, cut material waste, and improve quality control. Specialized areas will demonstrate fully autonomous systems handling materials across the entire value chain.
Are the exhibition halls open to the general public or is it strictly for trade professionals?
This event is structured specifically as a business-to-business trade fair designed for professionals working within the relevant industries. While anyone can theoretically purchase a ticket online, the content, machinery, and forums are highly technical and curated for manufacturers, designers, and managers. It provides a serious environment focused entirely on industrial commerce, corporate partnerships, and technical education.
How does the venue assist international visitors with language barriers during the show?
The fairgrounds offer extensive international services including multilingual staff stationed at all information desks, registration areas, and main entrances. Digital signage throughout the venue is presented in multiple languages, and the official event app provides translation features for navigation and seminar schedules. Most global exhibitors maintain diverse teams at their booths to converse fluently with visitors from around the world.
What topics will be covered regarding environmental sustainability in print production?
The forums will look closely at eco-friendly substrates, bio-based inks, and energy-efficient machinery that align with modern circular economy goals. Experts will lead panel discussions on adapting to strict international regulations and reducing the overall carbon footprint of packaging manufacturing. Exhibitors will showcase real-world examples of how sustainable practices can be implemented without sacrificing industrial output or profitability.
Can I access presentations and expert panels if I only hold a standard single-day admission pass?
A standard admission pass grants you full access to all regular exhibition halls as well as the open presentation areas within the experience clusters on that specific day. Attendees can join the audience for keynotes, live tech demonstrations, and panel discussions without needing separate entry credentials. However, certain high-level executive briefings or private networking galas require specific VIP upgrades or personal invitations.
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