Organizers of Print4All, which took place May 3-6 in Milan, Italy, report that 246 companies and 20,922 operators were in attendance. These are the numbers that concluded the second edition of Print4All, confirming it as a reference point in Europe for print and converting professionals.

“If I wanted to define this edition with a noun, it would surely be ‘energy’.This is what was felt in the pavilions and at the stands of the companies during all four days of the event,” says Paolo Pizzocaro of Fiera Milano, exhibition director of Print4All. “Evidently, the desire to meet again in person, to be able to confront life, to touch all the innovations that the sector offers, has moved a large number of professionals to visit Print4All to update, but also to do business, because this year, more than ever, the fair was not only a moment of relationship but also an opportunity to sign sales contracts. We partly imagined it, but the results exceeded expectations.”

The profile of visiting operators was high: 44% were owners, CEOs and managers – decision-makers with spending capacity – while 32% were represented by technical individuals, fundamental for the selection and evaluation of the technologies to be included in their companies. Meanwhile, 42% were looking for innovations related to printing solutions, but there was no lack of attention to raw materials, components and equipment in the press room, a primary objective of 24%.

With regard to foreign visitors, coming from 66 countries, as evidence of the resumption of international mobility. A strong presence of European professionals (71%) and North Africa (12%), areas particularly interested in the purchase of technologies Made in Italy in these sectors. In particular, the ten most-represented countries were Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Slovenia, Algeria, Romania, Albania, Poland and Egypt.

Print4All aimed to show the best in converting, labeling and printing machines, the result of the constant research and development work of the companies present and expression of a market that looks with increasing interest in circular economy models and industry 4.0, but also at servitization and digitalization, which makes it possible to speed up processes and makes customisations possible even at short runs.

The sector is now worth 3.1 billion in turnover in Italy, and continues to perform well, even if the long-term effects of the pandemic and the world political situation are a variant to keep an eye on. The increase in the prices of raw materials, materials and energy is slowing down the supply chain and is impacting, therefore, not so much on machinery orders – which remain good – as on delivery times. A trend that, according to experts, can be unlocked starting next year.

“The event fully represented a world in which the press becomes a tool to dialogue with the public, transfer messages and values and also exciting: from solutions capable of enhancing and making unique packaging and labels, customisations, metallic inks, tactile or sandy effects, glitter, reliefs, new colours and varied textures capable of ennobling and make every product valuable.But also prints on materials other than paper, such as fabrics for clothing or interior design, which become a tool for experiencing environments in a new way. Above all, today there is the need to amaze with ‘special effects’, capable of bringing the most creative ideas to life,” says Antonio Maiorano, president of ARGI.