Seeing the potential at drupa 2024

What focal points await visitors at drupa 2024? 

Printing companies that keep abreast of technological trends and innovations will be best placed to tap into and see the potential. At drupa, industry giants such as Konica Minolta will demonstrate where the future of printing is heading.

Showgoers to our stand will be able to immerse themselves in a captivating industry 5.0 tale, where scalability, capacity, reliability, sustainability, and smart factory automation merge, all centred on human experience.

Digitisation is the be-all and end-all 

Digital printing continues to be a driving force in commercial and industrial applications.  This is especially true as run lengths continue to fall and the demands on sustainable production increase. Digitalisation - one of drupa's key themes - is a focal point for next year’s event. It enables entirely new processes and applications in the printing and packaging industry and opens the way to industry-5.0.

This trend combines scalability, capacity reliability, sustainability and intelligent factory automation - while at the same time focusing on people. Scalability of print volume is achieved in two ways: in the short term through outsourcing and in the long term through digitalisation and automation of production HW and SW.

Artificial intelligence, platform economy and openness to innovation in the field of industrial applications play a key role here. Another important topic at drupa 2024 is the advancing trend towards personalisation.

Sustainability in focus

In addition to digitalisation, environmental considerations are high on the agenda of the trade fair. Topics such as circular economy, energy efficiency and resource conservation are key factors for the entire industry. Environmentally friendly and ethical procurement practices are increasingly a priority for customers. Printers can therefore make a difference through sustainable product options and smaller CO2 footprints sustainable and offer ecological products and services. Digital solutions are often the enabler for sustainable products, services and processes.

Other future trends 

As an exhibition, drupa is not only in demand as a global industry platform, but also focuses on relevant and visionary topics and best practices in its special forums. Here exhibitors generate new business opportunities with their innovations, ideas and concepts. For an exhibitor such as Konica Minolta, the focus at drupa is on these trends and innovative technologies:
 
E-commerce remains on a growth path: The growth of e-commerce is expected to continue; therefore printers should offer a seamless online experience that integrates offline channels. Customers today expect personalised experiences and smooth transitions between online and in-person.

Personalisation: Printers should invest in advanced technologies and data analytics for personalised shopping experiences. These can include personalised recommendations, targeted marketing campaigns and tailored promotions to increase customer loyalty and retention.

AI, automation and supply chains: It pays to use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies to optimise operations and increase efficiency. In 3D printing, many companies are already using AI to optimise their workflows, predict defects, improve quality and automate the printing process.

In addition, AI-driven chatbots helping customer service, automated inventory management and demand forecasting.

To optimise the supply chain, RFID can provide real-time data on stock levels, improve accuracy in inventory counting and enable efficient replenishment processes.

AR and VR - The future of print: Augmented and virtual reality have entered the printing industry with their fascinating possibilities and are on their way to becoming standard tools. They offer immersive product visualisations and interactive experiences that illustrate during consultations and drive ordering decisions.

Data security and privacy: Protecting customer information and complying with data regulations are essential. Robust security measures and transparent data practices are critical to gaining and retaining the trust of your customers.

Integration of emerging technologies: Keep an eye on innovative solutions such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices. These technologies can enable secure transactions, real-time inventory tracking and personalised shopping experiences.
 
Smart tagging and packaging: Smart tags, smart near field communication (NFC) labels and interactive packaging with QR codes or augmented reality elements help brands and retailers engage with consumers, provide product information and create interactive experiences. Offer your print customers these possibilities of modern customer experience.



The combination of different technologies and concepts makes print irreplaceable. Through strategic partnerships, we are unlocking digitisation for our customers and enabling multi-segment end-to-end ecosystems from prepress to finishing, for example in labels, packaging, commercial, books-on-demand, textiles, large format, embellishment and finishing segments.

The trade fair drupa is the ideal platform to expand your knowledge, discover new solutions or make valuable contacts. Make a note of drupa 2024 already now.

We will be in Hall 8B at drupa in Düsseldorf - see you there!