- The second edition of FESPA Middle East welcomed more than 2,700 professionals from 80 countries, an 8% rise over last year
- Over 100 exhibiting companies, an 8% increase from the 2024 edition, took part in the event, which featured more than 200 brands
- This year’s show explored the latest innovation and technology with a focus on personalisation, sustainability and future visions, supported by a free, three-day conference programme
The second edition of FESPA Middle East, the region’s leading event for the global speciality print and signage industries, successfully took place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre from January 20–22, 2025. The event attracted over 3,400 visits from more than 2,700 industry professionals across 80 countries, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase compared to its debut in 2024. This growth highlights the strong regional and international demand in the printing, signage, and visual communication sectors.
The event was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and welcomed high-level decision-makers from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, India, and China, among others. The exhibition featured over 100 exhibitors, an 8% increase from last year, and showcased more than 200 brands, reinforcing its position as a premier platform for business growth, collaboration, and innovation.
Key Trends and Innovations
This year’s exhibition saw a surge in direct-to-film (DTF) technology, which allows designs to be printed directly onto film and transferred to textiles. Additionally, additive manufacturing and 3D printing were introduced, reflecting the industry’s shift towards advanced printing solutions.
Significant product launches included:
- Massivit 3D printer, designed for the automotive, marine, and railway sectors
- Kornit Digital Textile Printers, a single-step direct-to-fabric printing solution
- Yaslan’s 5.5m wide UV Printer, a double-sided super-wide format printer that gained significant attention
Conferences and Special Events
The three-day conference program, including the FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX), covered topics such as business intelligence, technological advancements, sustainability, and personalization. Notable speakers included:
- Richard Askam, creator of Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke campaign
- Professor George Simonian, Dean at BADR University
- Amit Radia, CEO, Atlas Group
- Gianmauro Vella, PepsiCo
Other key highlights:
- World Wrap Masters Competition: 16 participants competed in vehicle wrapping and creative vinyl applications, with Vit Simek from the Czech Republic winning the Middle East title and advancing to the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin.
- Sustainability Spotlight: Featured insights from government entities and industry professionals, showcasing eco-friendly printing solutions and business practices.
- FESPA ASEAN Meeting: Representatives from Australia, Japan, Thailand, Korea, India, Nepal, and China gathered to discuss market trends and industry developments.
Industry Praise for FESPA Middle East
Danna Drion, Marketing Manager at Mimaki, emphasized FESPA Middle East’s significance in tracking the latest developments in digital printing. Mehdi Berrada-Baby, Managing Director of Icon Digital, also praised the event, stating that FESPA Middle East continues to grow as a leading exhibition for speciality printing.
Since 2015, FESPA has reinvested US$9 million into the global printing industry through its Profit for Purpose initiative.
The next edition of FESPA Middle East is scheduled for January 13-15, 2026, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.
For more details, visit: www.fespamiddleeast.com
