Drupa 2028 opens exhibitor bookings

Exhibitor registration opened for Drupa 2028, with the next edition of the global print and packaging exhibition scheduled to take place in Dusseldorf in Germany, from 9 to 17 May 2028.

Organiser Messe Dusseldorf set 31 October 2026 as the registration deadline and called on suppliers across the print and packaging value chain to confirm participation early at what remains the sector’s largest international trade fair.

Drupa 2028 was set to bring together machine manufacturers, technology providers, software and workflow developers, along with brand owners, designers and creative professionals. The show was expected to continue its emphasis on live demonstrations, integrated solutions and connected production environments.

Wolfram Diener, CEO of Messe Dusseldorf, said, “Drupa is the ultimate international platform where vision and reality meet. Partnerships across the entire value chain are crucial for successfully transforming new technologies into marketable solutions and jointly shaping the next stage of development in the industry.”

For 2028, the content agenda placed emphasis on end-to-end solutions, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, materials and the circular economy. The organiser stated that this reflected rising demand for industrial efficiency, smarter manufacturing and sustainable business models.

The exhibition was planned to feature showcases, themed areas, workshops, panels, masterclasses and a conference programme aimed at knowledge transfer and technology comparison. Messe Dusseldorf positioned these formats as supporting strategic decision-making for converters and print buyers.

Alongside the thematic shift, Drupa introduced a refreshed visual identity. The new branding highlighted networked and system-driven print and packaging solutions, reinforcing the show’s positioning as a platform for industrial applications.

The 2028 edition also widened its outreach to brand owners and creative professionals, signalling continued convergence between print technology, packaging design and brand communication.

Sabine Geldermann, director Drupa and portfolio print technologies at Messe Dusseldorf, said, “The combination of technology and creativity is what determines competitiveness and market success today." She added, "Drupa is the world’s leading platform where technological innovations are brought together with specific market requirements and translated into marketable solutions.”