The highly anticipated Gulf Print & Pack, the premier exhibition for the commercial and package printing industries in the MENA region, is set to kick off today at the World Trade Center in Dubai and will run until January 11, 2024.
After a hiatus caused by the pandemic, Barry Killengrey, Gulf Print & Pack event director, expressed enthusiasm about the return to the biennial calendar, stating, “During this time, the print and package printing industry has evolved immensely, with exciting new trends such as digital embellishment emerging, and this has intensified the appetite to see more advances in digital technology, automation, and workflow capabilities.”
The last Gulf Print & Pack event in June 2022 attracted leading graphic arts suppliers from across the globe and over 7,500 international visitors. Killengrey highlighted the opportune timing of the event, stating, “With the milder climate, January is the ideal time to plan a business trip to Dubai and the best time to kick-start new business here.”
Gulf Print & Pack 2024 promises to showcase a broad range of cutting-edge technology, including wide format printers, digital corrugated, cut-sheet inkjet, package printing presses, and digital embellishment systems. Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director of the Tarsus Labels and Packaging Group, organizers of the event, emphasized the MENA market’s transition to digital, not only in terms of print and post-print equipment but also workflows.
Thomas-Emans highlighted niche areas showing sustained growth in the commercial print market, including on-demand book and photobook production and digital printing of fabrics and floor tiles, all of which will be represented at the event. He added, “Commercial printers are also looking at opportunities in the booming package printing market, particularly in folding cartons and labels.”
A key trend to watch out for at the show is the digital embellishment of cut-sheet commercial work, folding cartons, and labels. Thomas-Emans explained, “The replacement of conventional tooling by high build inkjet varnishing, laser die-cutting, and digital metalization technologies will transform the value proposition for both commercial and packaging printers.”
Packaging MEA is the official media sponsor for the show, ensuring live reporting and event interviews to provide the latest updates on the show.