The 5-day Beijing International Printing Technology Exhibition brought together nearly all leading global equipment manufacturers, each unveiling cutting-edge innovations—many making their world, Asian, or China debut. Amidst the dazzling array of exhibits, one unifying theme stood out: the relentless march toward digitalization and intelligent automation.
The Digital-Intelligent Imperative
From CTP systems and digital presses to AGVs, offset printers, die-cutters, foil stampers, bag-making machines, and perfect binding lines, every showcased solution shared a common goal: leveraging smart technologies to drive efficiency, precision, and sustainability.
Three Key Trends Defining the Industry’s Future
Publishers and print service providers are adopting high-speed inkjet and toner-based digital presses to meet demand for short runs, variable data, and just-in-time production.
Example: A Chinese educational publisher reduced waste by 60% after transitioning to a fully digital workflow.
As traditional commercial print volumes decline, offset manufacturers are reengineering presses for folding cartons, labels, and flexible packaging—with enhanced automation for quick job changeovers.
Data Point: 78% of new offset installations in Asia now target packaging applications (Smithers 2024).
