Why Pamex 2026 matters now

As we step into 2026, I wish the entire print fraternity a very happy new year. This is a year that carries real promise for our industry, not just in India but across South East Asia, where India continues to play a defining role in shaping demand, technology adoption, and manufacturing capability.

The outlook for the Indian print industry over the next five to ten years is encouraging. Growth in GDP, rising literacy, and a young workforce are driving domestic consumption across categories. Packaging has moved from being optional to essential. Brand owners today expect consistency, speed, visual impact, and sustainability. This shift has made print and packaging one of the most attractive destinations for investment in equipment, automation, and allied services.

Indian equipment manufacturers deserve a special mention. They are no longer catching up with global benchmarks. They are competing confidently with the best in the world, both in quality and innovation. The recovery after the pandemic tells its own story. India was among the first economies to move from losses to profitability in under two years, a testament to resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial energy.

What is especially heartening is the new generation entering the print industry. These young professionals move fast, think digitally, and treat innovation as a daily habit rather than a buzzword. They understand that productivity is the bridge to profitability, and they are building businesses with speed, data, and purpose.

Against this backdrop, Pamex 2026 marks a significant milestone. The show has grown by one and a half times compared to the February 2024 edition in Mumbai, reflecting both industry confidence and rising participation across segments.

The focus areas at Pamex 2026 mirror where the market is headed. Labels and flexible packaging continue to dominate, with both short and long runs across digital and flexo presses. Box packaging remains a major growth engine, spanning folding cartons and corrugated solutions. Digital printing technologies, including powder toner, liquid toner, and inkjet, are delivering competitive returns for short and medium runs. Eco-friendly bags, rigid boxes, embellishment technologies using digital and screen printing, and advanced finishing automation will be strongly represented. MIS systems, AI-driven workflow automation, colour management, and smart factory solutions built on IoT frameworks will also take centre stage.

The theme for this edition, Future is EcoTech, reflects the industry’s clear direction. Sustainability is no longer a parallel conversation. It is now embedded in products, equipment, consumables, and decision-making across the value chain.

The outreach for Pamex 2026 has been extensive and multi-layered. From quarterly newsletters and roadshows across India and overseas, to high-visibility branding on BEST and ST buses in Maharashtra and South India, the effort has been consistent and wide-ranging. Add to this a New Year jingle on major FM channels and a strong presence across social media platforms, and the momentum is already visible.

The scale of the show speaks for itself. Expect more than 500 exhibitors, over 800 machines on display, and close to 250 new product launches. Owned by the All India Master Printers Federation and organised by Print-Packaging.com, Pamex has steadily grown into a truly global event over the past decade.

Pamex 2026 takes place from 27 to 30 January 2026 at Nesco Grounds, Goregaon East, Mumbai. I look forward to meeting colleagues, partners, and friends from across the industry during the show.

In my next column, I will go deeper into the technologies on display and highlight what visitors can expect to witness on the show floor.

(This is the first of Tushar Dhote's weekly columns leading up to Pamex 2026)