drupa (The World’s Number 1 for Printing Technologies) Düsseldorf, Germany 2026
Overview
drupa is the world’s premier trade fair for the printing technologies industry, held only once every four years, and serves as the global benchmark for innovation across the entire print and media value chain. The 2028 edition will bring together international exhibitors and professionals to showcase the latest technological advancements in prepress, print, post-press, converting, and packaging. The event moves beyond traditional commercial printing, placing a heavy emphasis on industrial applications, functional printing, and the integration of digital technologies that are driving the future of manufacturing.
The core themes of drupa 2028 will revolve around the unstoppable forces of Digitalization, Sustainability, and the Circular Economy. The fair highlights how digital transformation—including data analytics, AI, and cloud technology—is making printing more flexible, personalized, and efficient. Crucially, the fair addresses the industry’s responsibility to implement circular economy principles, showcasing solutions for reduced consumption, resource-efficient production, and sustainable material alternatives across all print segments, from packaging to textiles.
Event Highlights
- Digital Transformation and Production Automation: Focus on highly automated, connected print workflows (Industry 4.0), including advancements in robotics, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven workflow management for enhanced efficiency.
- Packaging and Industrial Printing: Showcasing high-growth areas like smart packaging, functional printing (e.g., printed electronics), and customized, on-demand packaging solutions driven by digital technologies.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy: Dedicated forums and exhibits presenting new bio-based materials, waterless printing processes, efficient ink usage, and advanced recycling technologies for printed products and packaging.
- Future Technologies and drupa cube: The ‘drupa cube’ is the central innovation hub for cross-industry transfer and disruptive technologies, hosting expert keynotes and exploring future trends like 3D printing and Extended Reality (XR) in print design.
Why Attend
drupa 2028 is an indispensable, once-every-four-years opportunity for CEOs, production managers, technology decision-makers, and investors to gain a comprehensive, global view of the printing industry. Attending allows you to witness live, full-scale demonstrations of machinery and workflow solutions that have taken four years to develop, providing a critical competitive edge in technology procurement and strategic planning for the next investment cycle.
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The fair is essential for high-level networking, connecting you directly with global manufacturers, innovative startups, and key end-users from brands in the packaging, advertising, and publishing sectors. By participating in the specialized forums and theme parks, you gain expert insight into the regulatory and commercial roadmap for sustainability and digitalization, ensuring your business stays ahead of technological obsolescence and environmental compliance requirements.
Date & Duration
- Date: Tuesday, May 9 – Wednesday, May 17, 2028
- Duration: Nine Full Days
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Düsseldorf, Germany
- Venue: Messe Düsseldorf
- Google Maps Address: Stockumer Kirchstraße 61, 40474 Düsseldorf, Germany
Ticket Information
Based on pricing for previous drupa Fairs and typical Messe Düsseldorf structures:
- How Tickets Are Sold: Online via the official website and at the Messe Düsseldorf ticketing counters.
- Admission Type: Day Tickets and Multi-Day (3-Day or Full Fair) Tickets.
- Ticket Pricing:
- Minimum Ticket Price Range: One-Day Pass (Online Purchase) is approximately $77 (e.g., €65 converted)
- Maximum Ticket Price Range: Multi-Day Pass (On-Site Purchase) is approximately $260 (e.g., €220 converted)
- Special Seating or VIP Options: Passes grant access to the exhibition halls and most concurrent events (like the drupa cube and forums). VIP options may include access to exclusive business lounges and special networking receptions, often arranged through major exhibitors or associations.
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Contact Information
- Email: info@drupa.de
- Phone: +49 211 4560-01 (Messe Düsseldorf General Contact)
- Website: drupa.com
- Social Media:
- https://www.facebook.com/drupa.tradefair
- https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/drupa-tradefair
- http://www.youtube.com/user/drupaTradeFair
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), 3 km from Messe Düsseldorf (approx. 10 minutes by taxi or bus).
- Public Transport: SkyTrain connects DUS terminals directly to the Messe Düsseldorf grounds. U-Bahn (Underground) line U78 directly services the exhibition center. A fair ticket often includes free use of local public transport (VRR zone).
- Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis from DUS cost approximately $25 – $35. Dedicated taxi ranks are located at all Messe entrances/exits.
- Parking: Extensive parking is available on-site at Messe Düsseldorf (P1 to P7) for a daily fee, approximately $15 – $20/day. Shuttles run between the car parks and the exhibition halls.
- Other Access: Düsseldorf’s efficient public transport and location on the Rhine make it easily accessible regionally and internationally.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel (5-star, 7 km, iconic central luxury, approximately $590–$890/night); The Fritz Düsseldorf (5-star, 7 km, modern design, approximately $470–$770/night).
- Mid-Range Options: Van der Valk Airporthotel Düsseldorf (4-star, 4 km, high convenience to DUS and Messe, approximately $200–$330/night); Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf City Center (4-star, 7 km, central station access, approximately $170–$280/night).
- Budget Stays: B&B Hotel Düsseldorf-Mitte (2-star, 7 km, reliable basic option, approximately $90–$150/night); Motel One Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (3-star, 7 km, efficient and central, approximately $105–$190/night).
Reviews
- “drupa is the world’s print technology thermometer; if you want to know what’s coming in the next four years, you must be here.”
- “The focus on industrial and functional printing was a breakthrough for us, opening up entirely new markets we didn’t know we could serve.”
- “We purchased our next-generation press at drupa after seeing it running live—the machinery demonstrations are unparalleled.”
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FAQ's
Why is drupa held only once every four years?
The four-year cycle is necessary to allow manufacturers time to develop, test, and bring genuinely innovative, commercial-scale printing machinery and technology to the market. This ensures that every drupa features significant technological leaps across all sectors of the industry, maintaining its position as the world's most innovative and relevant trade fair for printing technologies.
Is there a focus on digital packaging and label printing?
Absolutely. The growth in digital packaging and labels is a central theme. Dedicated halls and theme parks showcase the latest in high-speed digital presses, workflow automation, finishing equipment, and material substrates designed for personalized and on-demand packaging. Experts will discuss regulatory compliance and sustainable material sourcing for these high-growth segments.
Are there special areas dedicated to future and cross-media trends?
Yes, the 'drupa cube' is the dedicated space for exploring future trends. It hosts high-profile keynotes, conferences, and expert panel discussions on cross-media applications, 3D printing, printed electronics (functional printing), and the use of AI in design and print automation. It acts as the central thought leadership platform connecting print with other high-tech industries.
Does my fair ticket include free public transport?
Yes. A major benefit of purchasing an official drupa admission ticket (Day Ticket or Multi-Day Pass) is that it typically serves as a free ticket for public transportation within the entire VRR transport network for the day(s) of attendance. This convenient inclusion simplifies travel to and from the Messe from any location in the region.
Who is the target audience for the fair?
The target audience is highly professional and international, encompassing owners and managers of commercial printing houses, packaging converters, brand owners, publishers, advertising agencies, material buyers, and engineers. It is a B2B event designed for anyone who manufactures, procures, or influences the use of printing and media technologies globally.
