The second edition of Bharat Print Expo closed its doors at the Chennai Trade Centre on 29 April, leaving behind a showfloor full of signed orders, renewed industry connections, and a clear message: South India’s print and packaging sector is not just growing, it is transforming at pace. Spread across Halls 2 and 3 of the CTC Complex at Nandambakkam, the three-day exhibition brought together technology providers, converters, label specialists, and print professionals from across the country and beyond, in what organisers described as a more expansive and inclusive platform than the well-received inaugural edition in Bengaluru.

Bharat Print Expo 2026 was formally inaugurated by a wide contingent of industry leaders, including AIFMP President Ravinder Reddy, Honorary General Secretary Mehul Desai, Tushar Dhote, (Chairman Exhibition), at the Chennai Trade Centre on 27 April. The ceremony drew Anil Arora of ReEnvision Events, Janaka Ratnakumara (President, Sri Lanka Association of Printers), Pradeep Saroha (Event Director, Labelexpo India/Loupe, Informa Markets), Senthil Kumar from the Tamil Nadu Master Printers Association, Muthyala Ramarao (President, Andhra Pradesh Printers Federation), and Jolly Peter (President, Madras Printers and Lithographers Association).

Ravinder Reddy, speaking at the inauguration, stressed that print today occupies a fundamentally different place in the economy than it did a decade ago. In his view, the industry has shed its identity as a back-office service and is now an embedded part of supply chains across manufacturing, retail and healthcare, a shift powered by digital technology, automation, materials innovation and sustainability imperatives. He described Bharat Print Expo as a natural expression of that transformation: a venue where technologies from digital and inkjet to packaging, labels and finishing converge not merely for display, but for genuine business-building and knowledge exchange. He also drew attention to the show’s wider mission of supporting MSMEs and printers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities who need better access to technology and market intelligence.

Mehul Desai reinforced the grassroots purpose of the initiative. He made clear that Bharat Print Expo is not simply a machinery showcase, it is designed to reach printers who are too far removed, logistically or financially, from national-level events in cities like Mumbai. He spoke about the need to understand the real challenges facing smaller operators and to connect them with the solutions and peer networks that can help them grow. In his assessment, the exhibition is building genuine momentum and he expressed confidence that future editions will continue to grow in scale and industry participation.

Tushar Dhote, who played a central role in conducting the pre-show roadshow across South India, captured the broader mood of readiness he had witnessed on the ground. He said that travelling through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu had made clear just how much the mindset of the regional printing community has shifted, printers at every level, from established urban operators to smaller emerging hubs, are actively seeking change rather than waiting for it. He noted: “From emerging hubs to established centres, there is a clear shift towards modernisation, collaboration, and future readiness. Bharat Print Expo 2026 will bring all these conversations and aspirations onto one unified platform.”

The intent behind the show was articulated clearly by its leadership from the very first moments. Anil Arora, Director of ReEnvision Events, said, “Chennai 2026 will be a grander, more inclusive platform that builds on the incredible momentum we witnessed in Bengaluru. Get ready to witness something even bigger, a show that is expected to redefine opportunities for the print industry in South India.”

The quality of buyer engagement at Chennai was the standout theme across exhibitor feedback. Fujifilm and Epson, both confirmed exhibitors at the Chennai edition, brought their wide-format and production inkjet offerings to a Southern Indian audience that is increasingly receptive to high-volume digital alternatives to conventional print. Xerox, meanwhile, used the platform to engage with commercial print buyers keen on workflow efficiency and on-demand print capabilities.

Heidelberg India brought its full-spectrum portfolio to the show and reported a strong opening day.

Rajendra Prasad, head of marketing for Heidelberg India, said: “Our presence at Bharat Print Expo reflects a clear focus on helping printers navigate a more demanding production environment. Customers are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that combine workflow intelligence with robust press performance to deliver predictable results and faster turnaround.”

He noted that the response on the opening day had been encouraging, particularly from emerging markets: “We have seen a good number of customers from Tier II cities visiting our stall on day one. There is strong interest in our Prinect workflow solutions, and the conversations are clearly moving towards automation and process optimisation.”

Konica Minolta, which served as the Digital Printing Partner for the event, used Chennai to launch and demonstrate its expanded production print portfolio, including the AccurioPress C12010S, AccurioPrint C4065 and AccurioPrint 2100, alongside a wide range of industrial print samples covering commercial printing, packaging and value-added print applications.

Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, said: “India’s print industry is evolving rapidly, with businesses increasingly looking for solutions that combine speed, flexibility, and long-term sustainability. Our participation at Bharat Print Expo 2026 reflected our commitment to supporting this transformation through advanced digital printing technologies and intelligent workflow solutions. As the Digital Printing Partner, we saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate how innovation can help customers unlock new efficiencies and growth opportunities.”

NBG, targeting the label and packaging segments, also reported meaningful traction from the very first hours. Bharati Garg, sales director at NBG, said the company was using Bharat Print Expo 2026 to strengthen its presence in the label and packaging segments in South India, noting that early interactions had already included enquiries from customers in labels and paper bag production. Garg highlighted that regions such as Chennai and Sivakasi have a strong base of offset printers, many of whom are now transitioning towards flexo printing, a shift she described as a clear opportunity for NBG to engage with converters looking to move into longer-run and label-based production.

Much of the quality of visitor engagement at Chennai traced back to the pre-event outreach campaign. The AchchuPayanam initiative traversed Tamil Nadu in the weeks before the expo, while MudrapakaVignana Yaatra covered Andhra Pradesh, collectively visiting dozens of cities and engaging with hundreds of working printers.

Ravindra Babu, coordinator of the Andhra Pradesh Offset Printers’ Association, said: “The MudrapakaVignana Yaatra has been a very important initiative for our region. It has helped bring valuable industry insights directly to printers at the grassroots level. Across Andhra Pradesh, we have seen strong participation and genuine interest from printers who are keen to upgrade their knowledge and stay aligned with industry developments. This kind of outreach is essential to strengthen the foundation of our printing community.”

P Chander, Past President of the AIFMP, noted, “The AchchuPayanam across Tamil Nadu has clearly reflected the evolving mindset of the printing community. Printers are not only aware of the challenges but are actively looking for ways to adapt, grow, and remain competitive. The engagement across cities, both large and small, shows a strong intent to move forward with the industry and embrace new opportunities.”

As the Chennai edition wrapped, the show’s place in the South India print calendar was firmly cemented. Two successive editions, Bengaluru and now Chennai, have established Bharat Print Expo as the region’s most significant regional print event, successfully bridging the gap between national exhibitions and the grassroots printer base. The verdict from the showfloor was consistent. This was a show where serious business was transacted, where regional printers found technology within reach, and where the industry’s appetite for modernisation was on vivid display.

Bharat Print Expo is organised by the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) in association with ReEnvision Events Pvt. Ltd.