After years away from the South African print scene, I finally had the opportunity to return—and what a homecoming it turned out to be. My travel diary aligned perfectly with Propak Africa 2025, and with Inkish preparing to film inkjet installations across South Africa next month, the timing was just right. I hadn’t attended a print show in this part of the world for quite some time, but let me tell you—Propak 2025 wasn’t just a trade show; it was a vibrant, optimistic pulse check for an industry that’s ready to move boldly into the future.
Held in Johannesburg, Propak Africa 2025 lived up to its reputation as a key event on the continent for packaging, printing, labelling, processing, and recycling professionals. This year’s show welcomed 12,540 visitors, marking a 28% increase from 2022. Over 500 exhibitors and more than 60 speakers were present across two seminar theatres. Spanning 15,000+ sqm, it was clear from the outset that this show had scale, ambition, and energy.
What surprised me most wasn’t just the foot traffic or the size of the stands—it was the quality of engagement. Decision-makers were out in full force, and the equipment was running hot.
Some OEMs had gone all-in, filling their booths with working machines and live demos. Realising they hadn’t brought enough gear, others quickly began shuttling interested buyers to their local showrooms. One thing’s for sure: that oversight won’t happen again next time. The appetite was real—and it was hungry for innovation.
Another notable trend that stood out at this year’s show was the overwhelming presence of Chinese OEMs. It’s clear they are making their mark in the South African printing industry. I spoke to several local OEMs and printers who had already invested in Chinese-manufactured equipment, and their feedback was unanimously positive. The machines are performing well, delivering value and exceeding expectations. The key, as always, lies in having the right local business partners to honour service contracts and provide that reassuring support buyers need. Much like what we’ve seen in the automotive sector—where Chinese car brands have made serious inroads into the South African market over the past two years—the sentiment in the print industry seems equally clear. Based on what I saw and heard from local distributors and commercial and label printers, there’s very little hesitation around investing in Chinese technology.
The Pulse of Progress
Two halls were dominated by packaging, while the third catered more to commercial printing and equipment. That third hall was buzzing. It wouldn't surprise me if, in the next edition, organisers need to expand into a fourth hall to accommodate the growing interest, especially in commercial and digital print technologies.
The seminar theatres were another highlight, and they were packed every day. I was honoured to speak on a Connecting and Advancing Women in the Print Community panel. The session explored how we can foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the printing industry while creating opportunities for women to thrive. The discussion was deeply inspiring, and the engagement from the audience reminded me why events like these matter so much.
Voices from the Industry
The positive momentum wasn’t just my feeling; it echoed throughout the halls and my conversations with industry peers. Here's what some of them had to say:
Abisha Katerere, Head of Business Development & Marketing at Printing SA, was proud of the association's successful hosting of the Seminar Theatre for the first time. With 20+ speakers and panellists, the event underscored Printing SA’s role as a driver of collaboration, training, and innovation in the region. "It reinforced our reputation as the leading industry association," he noted.
Vaughan Patterson from Ricoh South Africa shared:
"Propak was great this year. It's good to see some exhibitors pulling out all the stops with the number of available machines and showcasing their latest offerings. It's always good to catch up with people in the industry and hear their view on the state of the commercial, label and packaging industry."
Heidi-Mari Middle from Kyocera Document Solutions was equally enthusiastic:
"We had quality interactions with new and familiar faces. The vibe was exciting and showed South Africa’s resilience and positive attitude. We even sold our first inkjet device to CTP Caxton, one of the country’s leading print companies. Inkjet is opening up design and business opportunities that are only beginning to be explored."
The customer interest was extremely positive. Everyone I spoke to was excited about growth and ready to invest.
— Warren Jones from Fujifilm
It was inspiring to see global and local companies presenting side by side. The seminar programme was rich in insights, and the innovation on display really underscored packaging’s crucial role in product safety and presentation.
— Teresa Adinolfi, Managing Director at Redfern
Looking Ahead with Confidence
As I walked the show floor and spoke with OEMs, printers, converters, and association leaders, it became increasingly clear: South Africa is not just holding its own; it’s growing, evolving, and embracing the future of print. Discussions around inkjet technology were front and centre, and the sentiment across the board was no longer if we invest but when. For many, the time is now.
Africa has long been portrayed in print as a developing region. But the sense I got at Propak was that the narrative is shifting. The foundation is strong, the talent is here, and the hunger for transformation is real.
As I left the showgrounds, I felt something I hadn’t in a while: real, grounded optimism, the kind that comes from witnessing an industry showing its resilience, ready to take bold steps forward not just in South Africa but across the continent.
Propak Africa 2025 wasn’t just a trade show but a statement. And I, for one, am thrilled to see what’s coming next.
Login
New User? Signup
Reset Password
Signup
Existing User? Login here
Login here
Reset Password
Please enter your registered email address. You will recieve a link to reset your password via email.
New User? Signup
Currency Exchange Graph