With 20,297 industry professionals from 68 countries and 245 exhibitors, Print4All – the exhibition organised by Fiera Milano and promoted by ACIMGA and ARGI, which concluded on 30 May – once again confirmed its status as a benchmark event for the printing and converting sectors. The show proved to be a strategic platform for technological advancement, industry-wide dialogue, and the creation of new business opportunities.
The event placed a strong spotlight on digitalisation, automation, and sustainability. Artificial Intelligence, increasingly embedded in industrial processes, is driving greater efficiency and flexibility across the sector. Green innovation featured prominently, with solutions ranging from recyclable and circular materials to energy-efficient technologies and retrofit solutions for existing machinery.
Several emerging trends were showcased, all underpinned by technological innovation: from tactile printing with multisensory effects and one-step digital embellishment to the ability to print on a diverse array of natural and recycled substrates. The finishing segment also saw important advancements, with increasingly smart and customised solutions designed for short-run and bespoke production.
In the converting and corrugated sectors, digital solutions remained in focus – including integrated systems often developed through multi-brand collaborations – alongside innovative components such as tear tapes and reinforcement tapes that enhance efficiency while supporting sustainability goals.
Dedicated focus areas spotlight key growth segments
Three themed areas offered in-depth insight into strategic growth areas: Corrugated Experience (corrugated cardboard), PrintMAT (new materials), and the WeArePrint4All Hub (training and inter-association collaboration).
Corrugated cardboard took centre stage in the Corrugated Experience – a curated journey through the stands of leading specialists and a dedicated hub that demonstrated how this material is evolving beyond packaging into a sustainable, high-impact communication medium.
PrintMAT explored the more creative and experimental side of printing, with applications spanning textiles to glass – all designed to convey product identity through innovative tactile and visual experiences.
The cultural heart of the show, the WeArePrint4All Hub, hosted seminars, panel discussions, and networking events. It fostered dialogue across the value chain and offered rich content on strategic industry topics. Among the highlights were the official launch of Gruppo Converting by Acimga – a new specialist group representing the strategic supply chain of printing, packaging, and flexible material converting machinery – and the presentation of Girls Who Print Italia, a new association promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry, with a focus on gender, orientation, ethnicity, and disability.
Friday, 30 May, was dedicated to engaging with the next generation, raising awareness among young people about the rewarding career opportunities within the printing and converting industries.
The Innovation Alliance: A strategic evolution
Print4All was once again part of The Innovation Alliance, the multi-sector event that brought together four trade shows under one integrated vision – showcasing the innovative power of capital goods technology in service of the manufacturing industry. The ecosystem spanned materials and plastics processing technologies at GreenPlast, packaging and processing at IPACK-IMA, printing and converting at Print4All, and warehouse logistics at INTRALOGISTICA ITALIA. All shared a common strategic focus on innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability.
The joint event attracted 108,458 professional visitors from 143 countries, who explored the latest technological innovations presented by 1,857 exhibitors – 39% of whom were from 38 different countries. As a uniquely integrated European event, it underscored the value of a synergistic approach, demonstrating that the combined impact of multiple aligned exhibitions can exceed the sum of their parts.
Looking to the future, The Innovation Alliance now enters a new phase. Each participating show will adopt its own independent schedule, tailored to the specific needs of its sector and aligned with the broader international exhibition calendar. This strategic decision is designed to enhance the effectiveness and market relevance of each event, while preserving their shared identity and collaborative spirit.
The Alliance will continue to be supported by meaningful synergies – including shared content, joint initiatives, and integrated supply chain platforms – ensuring a dynamic and responsive ecosystem that evolves in step with the needs of the manufacturing industries. This next chapter marks the project’s maturity and adaptability, reinforcing the enduring partnership between the sectors it represents.
Upcoming dates
Plast: Fiera Milano, 9–12 June 2026
Print4All: Fiera Milano, 25–28 May 2027
IPACK-IMA, GreenPlast and INTRALOGISTICA ITALIA: Fiera Milano, 28 May – 1 June 2028