AI, digital, and sustainable products gather, presenting a panoramic view of the industry's move towards 'new' strength!
On March 4, 2026, the Guangzhou · China Import and Export Fair Complex Area A was bustling with people and filled with a lively atmosphere. The 32nd South China International Printing Industry Exhibition and the 2026 China International Label Printing Technology Exhibition (referred to as the "South China Print & Label Expo" or "South China Expo") grandly opened amid widespread anticipation.
As the first exhibition of the year covering the entire printing and packaging industry chain, this edition of the exhibition featured a massive scale of over 100,000 square meters and a strong lineup of more than 2,200 high-quality exhibitors, welcoming professional buyers from around the world. The sounds of business negotiations, equipment operation, and forum applause intertwined like a tide, where the powerful momentum of technological iteration and industry development converged, fully showcasing the vigorous vitality of the printing and packaging industry advancing toward "innovation" and prospering through "quality".
The Opening Press Briefing Kicked Off Enthusiastically, Industry Confidence Soaring
At 9:30 AM, the expo press briefing was held as scheduled, with a speech from the organizer's representative. Mr. Hua Qiansheng, Deputy General Manager of China Trade Expo Huaxing Branch, stated that 2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The expo proactively aligns with national strategies, with the theme of "Digital, Intelligent, Sustainable," focusing on four major dimensions: "New, Smart, Green, Integrated," creating a 100,000-square-meter full-industry-chain exhibition platform to gather momentum and empower industry development.
Ms. Du Jingxian, General Manager of Yashi Exhibition Services Co., Ltd., stated: As the 'first exhibition of the year' for China's printing and packaging industry, the South China Exhibition has become a key indicator for the entire industry to gain insights into trends, plan for the year, and create breakthroughs together. In the face of profound changes and transformative challenges, this exhibition focuses on feasible solutions, injecting new momentum into enterprise upgrading.
With the official launch of the first demonstration of Smart Factory 4.0, this grand event of the entire industry chain has officially begun. On-site guests and media friends jointly witnessed this historic moment, and the applause and shutter clicks pushed the atmosphere to its climax.
The Smart Factory 4.0 Application Display Area Becomes the Most Popular Spot at the Event; AI Smart Manufacturing Practical Solutions Are in High Demand!
The [Smart Factory 4.0 Application Area] is undoubtedly the biggest highlight today. This "miniature intelligent workshop in real operation" attracted crowds three layers deep on all sides. Meiqi, a well-known company serving brands like Procter & Gamble, Liby, and Unilever, together with eleven leading enterprises in the industry chain, drives the full chain with AI to specifically address production pain points in the daily chemical and food & beverage industries, such as short delivery times and customization requirements. They presented two fully digitalized production line demonstrations, one for small-batch flexible production and the other for large-scale mass production, showing end-to-end process integration. From AI intelligent scheduling, digital printing, post-print processing to AI visual quality inspection, the entire process is visualized in real-time. On-site audiences eagerly placed orders, witnessing firsthand the rapid transformation of a personalized label from digital data to the physical product.
AI in Printing and Packaging: Leading Companies Showcase Impressive Results, Attracting Visitors to Stop and Engage
Inside the exhibition hall, leading companies such as Liandian, Botai, Lingyun Optical, Daheng Imaging, Yinzhi Connect, and Xunyue are showcasing the latest applications of AI in printing, post-printing, and intelligent quality control. Visitors can observe up close how AI empowers digital print-integrated machines to achieve fully automated printing, inspection, and automatic replenishment, and experience how the FFX530 intelligent multi-color flexo press uses AI to shorten setup time and enhance color consistency. In terms of inspection, the 8th-generation label quality inspection system and AI-assisted rewinder inspection machine attract many technical staff to stop and engage.
Soft Packaging Innovation Workshop Becomes the Focus: Six Major Production Links Connect to Reveal the Future of Flexible Packaging
In Hall 2.1, the 'Soft Packaging Innovation Workshop' linked exhibitors across core stages such as 'software-flexographic printing-lamination-curing-slitting-bag making,' showcasing visible food soft packaging production lines. Equipment from industry-leading companies like Bostone, Xianghuai, and Hangsheng was running on site, attracting a large number of soft packaging visitors to stop, observe, and take photos. A variety of exquisite soft packaging products were displayed on site, not only showcasing technical strength but also serving as a source of design inspiration.
Innovation, sustainability, and functional materials remain popular: on-site consultations active
The specialized areas for innovative packaging materials and green label materials are seeing a continuous stream of visitors. Hanma's plastic-free direct-coated paper, Barduf's plastic-replacement oil, Zhongshan Zhongyi Ink's UVU-KD series, and Guangdong Yike's embossed spray-painted film are attracting printing industry buyers eager to request samples. In terms of functional materials, Jinwanzheng removable labels, Xintumei freezing glue, Qiyuan tire glue, Xuchen thermal labels, and Peineng anti-static materials directly address the real pain points of industries such as daily chemicals, cold chain, automotive, and electronics. They have drawn many attendees to consult on-site, searching for materials that match their own products.
Anti-counterfeiting/RFID Terminal Applications Are Booming, Business Opportunities Emerging
The special section for anti-counterfeiting and traceability solutions gathers high-quality suppliers such as Hengxin Hongtong, Jingyuan, Namuda, Xinlei, Darui, Shuchang, Shuchanglong, and others, showcasing anti-counterfeiting materials, smart devices, anti-counterfeiting labels, and one-stop traceability solutions. The on-site demonstrations of precise identification technology make the upgrade of trust in brand protection tangible, eliciting waves of amazement from the audience.
The RFID smart tag section fully presents the entire industry chain ecosystem, from chip design and intelligent integration to scenario enabling, linking eight major application areas including footwear and apparel, retail, and logistics. Exhibitors and customers are enthusiastically discussing how a small RFID tag can break through data silos and tap into the incremental value of new retail, sparking another wave of attention.
Brand owners deeply connect with the printing and packaging industry, focusing on growth opportunities in major fast-moving consumer goods
The highly anticipated '4th Printing Technology and Creative Capability Awards' exhibition area was bustling with visitors. This year's competition tasked the Guangzhou Restaurant, a time-honored Chinese brand, with designing packaging for its mooncakes, and the winning and shortlisted works were displayed together. Representatives from Guangzhou Restaurant Group were present on site to negotiate face-to-face with creative design companies - it is reported that some winning companies have already gained priority for inclusion in the supplier database. The implementation model of 'the competition is the market, creativity becomes orders' brings valuable cooperation opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and independent designers.
Trendy toy cultural and creative packaging has become a popular check-in hotspot. Cutting-edge technologies such as colorful films, tactile inks, and AR interactive packaging are gathered together, with representatives from multiple trendy toy brands negotiating on-site, exploring diverse ways to enhance product added value and consumer experience through packaging.
Trendy toy cultural and creative packaging has become a popular check-in hotspot. Cutting-edge technologies such as colorful films, tactile inks, and AR interactive packaging are gathered together, with representatives from multiple trendy toy brands negotiating on-site, exploring diverse ways to enhance product added value and consumer experience through packaging.
All sessions of the forum during the same period were fully booked, and the 'Setting Sail Tomorrow' forum is ready to launch.
High-quality forums focusing on hot topics such as innovative technology, digital transformation, intelligent manufacturing, new materials, green packaging, anti-counterfeiting and traceability, and creative marketing are appearing one after another, with the venue packed and frequent interactions on site.
As a "treasure chest" for Chinese companies to deploy global resources, this year's South China Expo is launching multiple outbound-themed activities. The highlight-the "Opening Up New Blue Ocean in Printing and Packaging" Overseas Strategy Forecast Forum-will make a grand debut on the morning of March 5. Building on last year's focus on the Eurasian market, this forum further covers five emerging markets with great potential: Kazakhstan, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, and Malaysia. It brings together local industry experts to carry out in-depth discussions on topics such as "Unlocking Demand in Kazakhstan and the Americas," "Analysis of Market Prospects in the Middle East and Africa," and "Sharing Development Experiences of Printing and Packaging in Central and Eastern Europe." Overseas experts will deliver insightful presentations based on practical experience, helping Chinese companies precisely deploy globally and open up shortcuts for going abroad. Exhibitors and visitors are filled with expectations, which is bound to spark another wave of ideological enthusiasm.
Buyers from home and abroad flock in, with a peak in purchases on the first day
On the first day of the event, purchasing delegations from countries and regions including Poland, Egypt, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China, as well as more than a hundred associations from South China, East China, and Central China, and leading enterprises such as YTO have all attended. It is expected that in the next two days, more professional buyers will arrive successively, and the enthusiasm for purchasing will continue to rise.
More Highlight Zones Await to Be Unlocked
This exhibition also features many special zones such as [Digitalization and Applications], [Innovative Packaging Materials], [Paper Container Packaging], [Flexible Packaging], [Corrugated Packaging], [Digital Label Brands], [Eco-friendly Flexographic Printing], [Green Label Materials], [RFID Smart Labels], [Anti-counterfeiting and Traceability Solutions], and more. Full of highlights, waiting for visitors to explore in person.
Wishing all exhibitors and visitors a fruitful first day. The excitement continues, see you again on March 5.
Register now to secure your entry seat!
