The second edition welcomed more than 2,700 professionals from 80 countries and over 100 exhibiting companies featuring 200+ brands, an 8% increase from the 2024 edition; latest innovations and technologies explored, with focus on personalisation, sustainability, and future visions, supported by three-day conference programme
More than 3,400 visits from over 2,700 industry professionals from 80 countries (8% YoY increase) attended the second edition of FESPA Middle East, the region’s leading event for the global speciality print and signage industries, which took place at Dubai Exhibition Centre from 20-22 January, 2025.
This represents an 8% year-on-year increase in attendees compared to FESPA Middle East’s debut event in 2024, setting a new record for the show and demonstrating the strength and demand from the regional and international printing and signage sector which includes print service providers and sign-makers to visual communication specialists and textile-related professionals.
The event, which was officially opened by Dubai Media Incorporated Chairman HH Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, welcomed high-level decision makers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, India, and China, amongst others, who had the opportunity to witness over 100 exhibiting companies (8% YoY increase) with more than 200 brands being showcased.
Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager, FESPA Middle East, says, “The overwhelming response to the second edition of FESPA Middle East has underscored the growing demand for events of this calibre for the print and signage sectors. Throughout the three-day exhibition, we welcomed an exceptional gathering of industry professionals from across the globe, reinforcing FESPA’s position as the premier platform for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in the speciality print and signage industries.
“The year-on-year growth in exhibitor participation and visitor numbers highlights the growing influence of FESPA Middle East as a must-attend event for the region. This success underscores our commitment to driving industry advancements, fostering new opportunities, and delivering a world-class showcase of cutting-edge print and signage technologies.”
One of the major trends at this year’s exhibition was the increase in direct-to-film (DTF) technology, which involves printing a design directly onto a film and then transferring it on to a fabric. There was also the introduction of additive manufacturing and 3D printing, highlighting the shift to more advanced technology.
Several key launches and regional debuts took place, including the Massivit 3D printer, an industrial system for the automotive, marine, railways, and additional markets; and the Kornit digital textile printer, a single-step direct-to-fabric printing solution. The double-sided superwide-format printing was also a show stopper with the Yaselan 5.5m wide UV printer.
A significant part of the exhibition offering was the well-attended free, three-day conference programme, which included FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX). The sessions addressed topics surrounding business intelligence, new technologies, the future vision of the industry, in addition to personalisation and sustainability, led by industry heavyweights including Richard Askam, the man behind Coca-Cola’s ‘Share a Coke’ campaign; George Simonian, Dean of Applied Arts Faculty at BADR University; Amit Radia, Founder/CEO, Atlas Group; Prasanna Naidu, General Manager, Veesham Printing Press; Gianmauro Vella, Vice President & Head of Design at PepsiCo Greater China, APAC, and AMESA; and Kumail Khalfan, CEO, SignWorks.
Other highlights during the exhibition included the highly anticipated World Wrap Masters competition, part of an international series that combines top talent in vehicle wrapping and creative vinyl applications, offering a unique layer of skill and excitement to the show, with 16 competitors battling for the title of World Wrap Masters Middle East. This year’s winner was Czechia’s Vit Simek, who will now go on to compete in the final taking place at the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin in May.
The Sustainability Spotlight stand attracted sustainability champions from government and semi-government entities in the UAE and professionals from the industry. As part of the showcase, the latest products supporting sustainable printing and business practices and a range of informative conference sessions outlining a greener future were highlighted.
Rounding out the show were members of FESPA’s Asian associations who had gathered as part of the FESPA ASEAN meeting conducted on the sidelines. Association members from Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, and Thailand were all present to discuss the latest trends in the market.
Exhibitors highlighted the value of the event, particularly when keeping abreast of the latest developments. Danna Drion, General Manager Marketing & Product Management, Mimaki Europe B.V., says, “If you want to be aware of all the new and most important innovation in digital print and you don’t want to miss anything, then you definitely need to go to FESPA Middle East and participate.”
ICON Digital DMCC Founder/Co-Owner Mehdi Berrada Baby, echoes similar sentiments: “Our experience with FESPA has always been fantastic, we participate at many of the FESPA shows around the world. FESPA Middle East 2025 has improved on the inaugural event, and we believe that it will continue to grow. It’s the most professional organisation for speciality printing exhibitions.”
As a global federation of associations for the digital printing, textile, and screen printing community, FESPA is a non-profit organisation that has reinvested $9 million into the printing industry worldwide since 2015 through its Profit for Purpose programme.
The next edition of FESPA Middle East will take place from 13-15 January, 2026, at the same venue.
