The printing and packaging industry is entering a decisive phase. Automation, AI-driven workflows, labor shortages, tariffs, and sustainability pressures are no longer theoretical—they’re reshaping day-to-day operations.

This guide breaks down the most important printing and packaging trade shows happening globally in 2026, explains what technology will dominate the show floors, and helps you decide which events actually matter for your business.

If you operate, sell into, or invest in print, missing the right expos in 2026 is a competitive mistake.

The Big Picture: What’s Changing in Printing in 2026

Three structural shifts are redefining the industry:

1. From skilled labor to smart systems

Printing operations are moving away from heavy reliance on experienced operators toward AI-assisted and automated workflows. Color inconsistencies, prepress errors, and setup inefficiencies are increasingly handled by software before ink ever hits substrate.

2. Rising costs and tariff pressure

Material and equipment costs continue to rise globally. Tariffs and supply-chain volatility are forcing printers to rethink sourcing, efficiency, and waste reduction—not optional optimizations, but survival levers.

3. A tightening labor market

Skilled operators are harder to find and harder to retain. As a result, the most in-demand solutions in 2026 are systems that run leaner teams without sacrificing output quality.

Sustainability now sits at the intersection of profitability and brand credibility. Recycled substrates, energy-efficient curing, and waste-minimizing workflows are no longer “green add-ons”—they’re revenue drivers and buying criteria.

List of Printing Exhibitions and Events

North America’s Major Printing & Packaging Trade Shows (2026)

PRINTING United Expo (September 23–25, Las Vegas)

The largest and most comprehensive printing trade show in the world.

Key details

• When: September 23–25, 2026

• Where: Las Vegas Convention Center

• What stands out: AI Pavilion, training zones, color management sessions

• Registration: Opens April 2026

PRINTING United is no longer just about equipment launches. The 2026 edition focuses heavily on real-world integration- how AI, automation, and workflow software actually operate inside print businesses. Dedicated programming for students, women in print, and cross-segment learning reflects where the industry is headed.

ISA Sign Expo (April 8–10, Orlando)

Focused on signage, graphics, and visual communications.

Key details

• When: April 8–10, 2026

• Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

• Focus: Digital signage, LED technology, vehicle wrapping

The standout feature is The Wrap Experience, a hands-on competition area showcasing professional-level vehicle graphics. If your business touches large-format, branding, or experiential graphics, this show is highly relevant.

Impressions Expo (Multiple Locations)

Dedicated to decorated apparel and garment printing.

2026 dates

• Long Beach: January 22–24

• Atlantic City: March 26–28

• Dallas: October 22–24

The Long Beach edition alone draws over 14,000 attendees, making it a key event for DTG, DTF, embroidery, and apparel blanks. If apparel printing is a revenue stream, this show is not optional.

Pack Expo International (October 18–21, Chicago)

The largest packaging and processing event of the year.

Key details

• When: October 18–21, 2026

• Where: McCormick Place, Chicago

• Attendance: 48,000+ professionals

• Exhibitors: 2,600+

Pack Expo is where packaging, automation, and print converge. For web-to-print providers, label producers, and converters, this is one of the strongest environments for serious commercial partnerships.

Labelexpo Americas (September 15–17, Rosemont)

A focused event for label and package printing.

Key details

• When: September 15–17, 2026

• Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Illinois

• Focus: Digital & hybrid presses, RFID, automation

Labor efficiency and automation dominate conversations here. This show is particularly valuable for businesses operating in short runs, variable data, and compliance-heavy labeling.

Asia’s Fastest-Growing Printing Expo Hubs

India is now one of the fastest-growing printing and packaging markets globally, making its trade shows strategically important—not regional side events.

PAMEX 2026 (January 27–30, Mumbai)

India’s flagship printing exhibition.

Key details

• Theme: Future is EcoTech

• Exhibitors: 500+ global participants

• Focus: Sustainable inks, energy efficiency, smart packaging (QR, NFC)

PAMEX reflects where emerging markets are leapfrogging- moving directly into eco-efficient and digitally connected print systems.

Screen Print India (Mumbai & New Delhi)

2026 editions

• Mumbai: April 9–11

• New Delhi: August 6–8

These shows are central to India’s massive apparel and textile printing sector, covering screen, digital textile, and garment workflows.

PrintExpo Chennai (July 9–11)

Southern India’s comprehensive print showcase.

Key details

• Entry: Free for trade visitors

• Coverage: Pre-press, presses, converting, signage

Europe’s Must-Attend Printing Event

FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 (May 19–22, Barcelona)

Europe’s leading event for digital, screen, and textile printing.

Key details

• Where: Fira Barcelona Gran Via

• Scale: 550+ exhibitors, 14,000+ international visitors

New for 2026 are co-located shows focused on corrugated packaging, textiles, and vehicle wrapping-allowing attendees to evaluate multiple production models side by side and compress months of vendor research into days.

Printing Technology Trends Dominating 2026 Expos

Three technologies will dominate conversations and buying decisions:

Direct-to-Film (DTF)
DTF has matured into a scalable, production-ready solution. Automation, transfer consistency, and improved inks make it a serious option for print-on-demand and apparel businesses.

3D Printing in Smart Factories
3D printing is moving beyond prototyping into on-demand manufacturing, enabling zero-inventory models and real-time design iteration.

UV & LED Printing Technology
Advances in LED curing and UV printheads are driving higher quality, faster output, and lower energy consumption- especially in photo and commercial print.

Why Attending Printing Trade Shows Still Matters

Trade shows are time-intensive- but strategically essential.

You gain:

• Direct access to global suppliers and partners

• Hands-on evaluation before capital investment

• Insight into tariff impacts, automation ROI, and market forecasts

• Visibility into what your competitors are adopting

In an industry changing this fast, staying home is the riskier move.

2026 Printing & Packaging Trade Show Calendar

Conclusion

2026 is a turning point for the printing industry.

Smart, automated operations are becoming the baseline. Sustainability is non-negotiable. AI is no longer experimental; it’s operational.

If you want to remain competitive, attending at least one strategically aligned trade show in 2026 isn’t optional. Select the events that match your segment, plan ahead, and arrive informed.

Registration windows open months in advance. The businesses that prepare now will be the ones setting the pace next year.

FAQs

1. Which printing exhibitions in 2026 are most important for my business?

That depends on your print segment but not all expos are equal.

• Commercial & wide-format printers: PRINTING United Expo, FESPA

• Packaging & labels: Pack Expo International, Labelexpo

• Apparel & textile printing: Impressions Expo, Screen Print India

• High-growth & emerging markets: PAMEX, PrintExpo Chennai

The smartest printers don’t attend everything. They attend the events where technology, buyers, and workflows align with their growth goals.

2. Are printing trade shows still worth attending in 2026?

Yes- but only if you go with a clear objective.

Trade shows are no longer about browsing machines. They’re about:

• Evaluating automation and workflow software

• Understanding how competitors are scaling

• Seeing end-to-end systems, not isolated tools

Printers who attend without a plan waste time. Printers who attend to evaluate systems gain a multi-year advantage.

3. What technology should I focus on when attending printing exhibitions?

In 2026, the real differentiator is software-driven efficiency, not hardware alone.

Focus on:

• Web-to-print platforms that reduce manual order handling

• Workflow automation that connects ordering, prepress, and production

• AI-assisted proofing and error prevention

• Systems that support sustainability through waste and energy reduction

The question to ask exhibitors is not “What does this machine do?”
It’s “How does this integrate into my existing workflow?”

4. Will WTPBiz be present at these printing events in 2026?

Yes. WTPBiz plans to be available across all major 2026 printing exhibitions listed in this guide.

Final confirmations, including:

• Event-specific participation

• Booth locations

• Live demo schedules

• Private meeting availability

…will be announced soon.

If you’re attending any of these events and evaluating web-to-print, automation, or workflow modernization, meeting early gives you a strategic edge.

5. How can I connect with WTPBiz during these exhibitions?

The best way is to plan ahead.

Printers who book early get:

• Dedicated walkthroughs instead of rushed booth conversations

• Use-case–specific demos tailored to their business

• Clear answers on integration, scalability, and ROI