The countdown for the upcoming PTE edition, set between January 30th and February 1st, 2024, has started. During the event, the trends within the giftware and customisation sector will come to fruition. This sector will be represented by over 100 companies from 12 countries (including Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Poland, among others), all set to bring Hall 10 at Fieramilano Rho to life.

The items exhibited will mirror the cutting-edge advancements in materials, technologies, and industry best practices. This encompasses professional training sessions and networking opportunities among sector operators. Within this framework, PTE Lab will make a comeback, presenting workshops showcasing live demonstrations featuring customisation examples across various materials and techniques such as printing, marking, embroidery, and more. Additionally, PTE Meet has been confirmed, offering a diverse schedule of talks, seminars, and workshops—a platform to assess market dynamics and deliberate on customisation technologies.

In the run-up to the event, we briefly reviewed some of the exhibitors, from which some clearly defined macro-trends permeating the sector emerged. First and foremost, sustainability, nicely summed up by items such as the sports flasks made from Tritan, the new generation copolyester that offers the dual advantage of being 100% recyclable and bisphenol A-free, making it an ideal material for beverage containers. The German company Macma Werbeartikel. Crios Transfer, a Venetian company specialising in personalised screen transfer prints, can also be seen in the company’s inks. Its premium blends for Oeko Tex-certified Dtf inkjet machines, sold in 1 l/1 kg bottles, have water-based pigment and make the transfer thinner, softer and also more cost-effective to produce.

The environmental dedication has elevated the quality and durability of promotional items, transforming them from disposable gadgets to genuine accessories and garments akin to the fashion world. Consequently, they are often linked to customisation. In addition to the Crios Transfer patches mentioned above, the “flock” embroidered variants of which represent, so to speak, top-of-the-range seals of this type, the Hieno trademark, a Biembi brand, will also be on show. This assortment of finely crafted products includes office essentials (briefcases, agendas, and desk items), fashion items (women's bags, wallets, accessories, document holders), and leisure items (backpacks, wallets, keychains, and small bags). The common denominator is attention to materials, that are always of high quality, durable for daily use and accompanied by certifications.

For the Da Vinci line, Biembi opts for the evocative power of Italian-made graphics and design for fine paper greeting cards featuring hot-embossed and gold-embossed elements, as well as give cards, photo albums, and other gifts. The illustrations adorning these creations are distinctive and entirely new: developed by skilled illustrators, they are crafted using mixed media techniques and depict unique subjects like antique books, collectibles, jewellery, musical instruments, and natural elements that have been re-invented artistically. In summary, this line reflects the well-established artisanship rooted in the traditions of our country, while simultaneously engaging with international customers who are consistently captivated by the universally recognised essence of Italian genius represented by the name Da Vinci.

Quality takes centre stage in the realm of edible products, making it a prime focus for Slodkie, a Polish company specialising in promotional confectionery. It boasts the most extensive selection in Europe and has been involved in campaigns for global brands since 2004. Slodkie offers over 300 items in their assortment, including chocolates, biscuits, candies, lollipops, chewing gum, pralines, and handmade truffles. These products come in various colours and packaging options, providing extensive opportunities for branding and customisation. One highlight is the Belgian Callebaut chocolate pralines, made from cocoa beans of well-known and sustainable origin, under the control of the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, which is in direct contact with the farmers.

“Experiential” has emerged as a recent buzzword, heightened by the circumstances of pandemic lockdowns. It signifies the longing to create memorable moments spent together in enjoyable company. The napkins of Veluti, a Rome-based specialist in quality hot-printed customisation, are well suited to this concept. Its products of various sizes made of Airlaid or Vel One cellulose wadding are used for all kinds of events, supported by the company's flexibility in terms of quantities (starting from a minimum order of 100 napkins).

Gourmet dinners, well-being experiences, dream holidays and adrenalin-pumping activities are the bread and butter of Wonderbox, a key player in Italy for more than 15 years in the gift box market, which will present Wonder-ecard at PTE: a card targeted for specific occasions or categories, with a varied multi-brand offer that covers various purchase ranges and recipients. An original resource for company rewards, team building, welfare and corporate gifting but also loyalty activities for all product categories.

Technology frequently empowers freedom and aspirations. Equipped with an array of wireless gadgets and top-tier power banks, locations like a South Tyrolean park or a Parisian bistro can seamlessly transform into productive workspaces, rivaling even traditional business centres. Emblematic in this respect is the 38,250 mAh powerbank: equipped with a socket outlet (max. 150 Watts) and USB and type C inputs, it is proposed by the above-mentioned Macma Werbeartikel, which also provides laser-engraving services for desired advertisements on its aluminium surfaces.