300 Companies from Korea and Abroad, 1,100 Booths, and Over 23,000 Visitors. Concurrent World Print & Communication Forum and ‘Design Summer Ilsan’ Expand Global Exchange and Present a Vision for the Industry’s Future

K-PRINT 2026, Korea’s largest integrated exhibition for the printing industry, successfully concluded its four-day run on August 22.

Co-organized by Korea E&Ex and the Korean Printers Association, and supported by organizations including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, KOTRA, Korean Printing Foundation, and Korea Federation of Printing Cooperatives, the exhibition was held from Wednesday, August 19 to Saturday, August 22 at Halls 7 and 8 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Ilsan.

This year’s event brought together seven specialized exhibitions: the 29th Korea International Printing & Graphic Arts Exhibition (KIPES), the Korea Label Show (K-Label), the Korea Packaging Show (K-Pack), the Korea Corrugated & Paper Show (K-Corrugated), the Korea Digital Print & Solutions Show (K-Digital Print), the Korea Textile Show (K-Textile), and the Korea Sign & Advertising Show (K-Sign&AD).

Featuring approximately 300 companies across a record 1,100 booths, the exhibition was held alongside the ‘2026 World Print & Communication Forum (WPCF) General Assembly and International Conference’ and the design-focused seminar ‘Design Summer Ilsan.’ Together, these programs further expanded K-PRINT beyond an equipment and technology showcase into an industry platform for global business and knowledge exchange.

A Record 300 Companies and 1,100 Booths … Strong Interest in AI, Automation, and POD Solutions Continued Through the Final Day

The exhibition covered a total of 21,320 square meters across Halls 7 and 8 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 2, featuring approximately 300 companies across 1,100 booths. A total of 22,318 domestic and international visitors, including 709 overseas buyers, attended the four-day event. The show floor featured technologies designed to improve the efficiency and quality of print production, including smart process management systems, automated post-processing equipment, and AI-based quality control solutions.

Also drawing attention were DTF (Direct-to-Film)-based print-on-demand (POD) production equipment catering to small-batch, high-mix production needs for apparel, goods, and promotional items, along with digital label printing, smart packaging, corrugated manufacturing and processing, large-format printing, digital signage, and LED display solutions. During the event, business consultations were estimated at KRW 520 billion in the domestic market and USD 60 million in overseas markets, supporting participating companies in developing new sales channels and expanding their business.

World Print & Communication Forum and ‘Design Summer Ilsan’ Held Concurrently … Expanding Global Exchange and Knowledge Content

The ‘2026 World Print & Communication Forum General Assembly and International Conference,’ held in conjunction with the exhibition, brought together some 500 printing industry representatives and officials from 33 countries. Returning to Korea for the first time in ten years, the event was held under the slogan ‘A Global Printing Festival Connecting the World through Hallyu’ and expanded exchange and cooperation among printing professionals at home and abroad through an international conference themed ‘The Future Vision of the Printing Industry in the AI Era,’ as well as industry tours, country-specific business matching, and export consultations.

‘Design Summer Ilsan,’ introduced for the first time this year, featured eight industry professionals from the fields of design, branding, video, and post-processing as speakers. They shared practical insights applicable to the industry, covering topics such as generative AI, brand experience, motion graphics, business-oriented design, and foil printing and pattern output. Citing the strong interest and growth potential confirmed at this inaugural event, the organizers stated plans to continuously expand the program and range of participating fields, developing ‘Design Summer Ilsan’ into a flagship program connecting design and the printing industry.

A range of other seminars addressing practical industry needs were also held, including technology presentations by global companies as well as sessions on using generative AI, operating Naver Smart Store, and online marketing strategy. The organizers presented the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award and the Korea Printing Industry Promotion Foundation Chairman’s Award to CEO Choi Yu-hae of Taekyung Hi-Tech and CEO Kim Won-gi of Sangdonghwa, respectively, for their contributions to the development of the printing industry, and delivered plaques of appreciation to the printing industry trade media outlets Printing Industry News, Monthly Printing World, and MJ Media.

Strengthening Sustainability with ECO-PRINT … Toward an Industry Platform Connecting Technology, Business, and Design

K-PRINT 2026 placed particular focus on eco-friendly inks and materials, the reduction of hazardous substance emissions, energy-saving equipment, low-carbon processes, and sustainable packaging solutions. In particular, the show operated an ‘ECO PRINT’ mark to identify participating companies practicing eco-friendly printing and sustainable packaging, and used live demonstrations and media content to introduce technologies and applications relevant to actual production sites, deepening visitors’ understanding. Kim Jung-jo, CEO of Korea E&Ex, said, “Through its largest-ever exhibition alongside the World Print & Communication Forum and Design Summer Ilsan, K-PRINT 2026 has taken a further step forward as an industry platform that organically connects printing technology, business, and design.” He added, “Going forward, we will continue working to ensure K-PRINT supports the digital transformation and sustainable growth of Korea’s printing industry, while establishing itself as a practical business platform connecting overseas markets with emerging demand industries.”