MENA print industry expected to reach new heights

The global printing industry has gone through a period of structural changes, with a decline in commercial printing volumes, market consolidation and M&A prevalent around the world. On top of that, changing demographics, personalization, digital printing and sustainability are all trends defining the future of print and causing converters to evaluate their activities.

The Middle East and surrounding markets have not been immune to these trends but are set to benefit. According to

Staff Writer, 13 February 2018

Neighbourhood Promotion installs Longier Hunter FR4900 from Helios

Neighbourhood Promotion LLC, Dubai invested in Longier Hunter UV Flatbed and Roll to Roll 4900 Printer from Helios Business Systems LLC.
Talking about the reason for opting the machine, Sibu Jose, manager – production for digital printing division from Neighbourhood Promotions LLC, said, “I have been examining to buy a machine in the market throughout the previous three years and we even observed couple of machines before arriving to this conclusion to invest in this FR 4900 printer. Once step

Venkat Raghavan, 04 February 2018

21st edition of Sign & Graphics show hosts 330 exhibitors

The 21st edition of the region’s premier exhibition for large format printing and signage industry, Sign and Graphics Imaging show was hosted on 14th-16th January this year at the Dubai World Trade Center.  About 330 international and regional exhibitors participated in the show.
Participants included Cannon Middle East, Epson, Copatra Graphics, Signtrade, Masonlite, Flex-Europa, Jacky’s, OKI Europe, Wellcare Infotech, Blue Rhine, Emirates Computers among several. Copatra Graphics was the gold

Staff Writer, 01 February 2018

Xerox hosts a two day seminar along with Bishara Est. in Oman

Xerox together with Bishara Est. held a two day seminar at the Crowne Plaza on 11th and 12th December in Oman. The Seminar showcased the latest Xerox’s Digital Printing Press products, Technologies and Solutions.
The sessions were held for two days where the day 1 was focussed on Digital Book Publishing and Unique Print applications for the Education and Government Verticals in Oman. The day 2 was focussed on the rapid transition of the traditional Offset Print jobs to Short-Run Digital Print

Staff Writer, 01 February 2018

Epson launches enhanced dye sublimation textile printer

Epson has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its dye sublimation textile printer. The new model SureColor SC-F9300 replaces the existing SC-F9200 and comes with enhance features like brand new Epson precision dot technology for dye sublimation including a halftone module, look-up tables and micro-weave help make a noticeable difference to print quality.
Shihab Zubair, regional sales manager, Epson Middle East, says, “It’s a challenge to top a product that is already incredibly

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

SGI Dubai expected to attract more visitors

The signage and graphic industry’s top brands from the local, regional and international markets spanning 35 countries will head to Dubai in January 2018 for the SGI Dubai show. This is one of the largest exhibition catering to the large format printing industry in the Middle East and Africa region. Over 300 global and regional exhibitors have confirmed their presence and will be showcasing products and solutions worth AED 250 million.
International Expo Consults (IEC) stated that one of the

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

3D Printing Olymiad in UAE

Fifty different innovative products, all designed, and 3D printed by school going students from across the UAE were the hallmark of the second 3D Printing Olympiad organised by ATLAB recently in Dubai.
The top award in the competition went to a 15-year old Grade X student from GEMS Millenium School – Sharjah, who had developed a working model of a humanoid robot – almost complete with its torso and head.
Another winner Mumukshya Baitharu from primary school segment presented an interesting

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

GIC's success with Mutoh in the Middle East

Adding another feather in their cap, Graphic International Centre LLC.(GIC) recently sealed a landmark deal of two Mutoh ValueJet 1638X 3M machines in the Middle East Region. The Mutoh 3M ValueJet 1638X printers were sold to one of the major production centres in the region who is also a certified 3M Converter.
In 2016, GIC has received an Award from Mutoh ‘Best performing reseller for Mutoh textile printers for the period 2011-2016’ attributed for outstanding performance as a Mutoh authorized

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

Mauritania says there’s no paper for printing independent newspapers

Mauritania says there’s no paper for printing independent newspapers. Independent newspapers in Mauritania say they’ve been doing without print editions for more than a week, allegedly because of a financial crisis at the government’s only official printing press. The reported lack of funds means there’s not been enough paper for all media outlets, so the press has printed only two official newspapers. Chouf TV said the Al-Akhbar newspaper was among those affected, while the government-aligned

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

Sharjah University hosts workshop to promote 3D printing research

Sharjah University hosts workshop to promote 3D printing research. The American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) and American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently held a three-day workshop on robotics and 3D printing in the construction industry to present potential opportunities in research and development in construction. The workshop was held at the university where AUS senior students showcased some of their best 3D printing projects. Finland’s Oulu University of Applied Sciences

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

Paperworld Middle East to have industry seminars

Paperworld Middle East to have industry seminars, ‘Green Room,’ and Gift Articles section. Paperworld the region’s trade fair for the paper, office supplies, and stationery industries, is preparing for a big year in 2018, as more than 300 exhibitors get ready to boost business prospects in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. According to organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, its popularity can be attributed to the globally recognised Paperworld brand, while the strategic location in Dubai

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

EPA welcomed by Guinea

Guinean President Alpha Condé has received a UAE delegation including representatives of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), following an official invitation to participate in the celebration of Guinea’s capital city Conakry as the World Book Capital for 2017.
Rashid Al Kous, executive director of EPA, said: “Our visit to Conakry highlights EPA’s desire to participate in various cultural forums and events relating to the publishing industry and translation. Through this visit we hope to

Staff Writer, 11 January 2018

Chrysels Digital invests in Teckwin from Heliozid Océ

Chrysels Digital Advertising LLC, Dubai invested in Teckwin UV roll to roll printer TS 5000HF from Heliozid Océ.
Talking about their investment, Samuel Thomas, director-marketing from Chrysels Digital, commented, “The machine was purchased on October and the installation was made in November. The print quality and speed of the machine was very good compared to other products in the industry. We have been having a good relationship with Heliozid for a long time and this is our first machine we

Venkat Raghavan, 10 January 2018

Immensa's first-of-its-kind 3D printing institute to open in Dubai

Immensa 3D Printing Institute (I3DPI) will be the first of its kind academic and training provider that is focused exclusively on Additive Manufacturing (AM or 3D printing). Scheduled to operate under a licence, I3DPI will provide training, and certify individuals in the various aspects of additive manufacturing.
Fahmi Al-Shawwa, speaking on behalf of I3DPI, commented: “In line with the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, I3DPI has been established to support the progress of this sector in the region

Staff Writer, 10 January 2018

Konica Minolta launch digital production presses in UAE

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Middle East introduced their AccurioPress series of colour production presses during a launch event held in Dubai, UAE. The event held at Atlantis the Palm Dubai on 20th November was attended by customers across GCC and media persons. The introduction speech was given Pauline Brooks from Konica Minolta. Followed by Kazuo Kobayashi, managing director, Rakesh Nair and others.
Kazuo Kobayashi, managing director, commented: “GCC and Middle East are very important

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

TheMagicTouch unveils new products at annual meet in UAE

TheMagicTouch Dubai held their Middle East Sublimation Experience event at the Media Rotana Hotel in Dubai on 19th and 20th September.
 The event was hosted by TheMagicTouch, Sawgrass, ChromaLuxe, Unisub, INSTA and iTrading.
Speaking about the event, Rifki Hussain from TheMagicTouch Dubai, said, “During this two-day event the partners have discovered the business opportunities we bring through our solutions for sublimation printing. Our gathering has helped the partners in such a way to

Venkat Raghavan, 19 December 2017

Plastprintpack attracts visitors

Organized by the German trade fair specialists Fairtrade the 4th edition of Agrofood & PlastPrintPack West Africa took place on 05 to 07 December 2017 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. More than 90 plus exhibitors from 21 countries including 5 national pavilions from Algeria, France, Netherlands, Poland and Sri Lanka has attended the  the 2017 edition.  
“This year 90 plus exhibitors from 21 countries have represented, making the 2017 edition the biggest ever”

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

Sharjah Publishing City promoted in Kuwait

Sharjah Publishing City promoted in Kuwait. Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is focusing its presence at the 42nd edition of Kuwait International Book Fair on Sharjah Publishing City (SPC), the recently opened free zone dedicated to the publishing industry worldwide. The book fair, which is taking place from November 15-25, features 479 exhibitors from 30 Arab and foreign countries. Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “Our participation in GCC and Arab book fairs is a priority in line with the

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

Compact Advertising invests in Leopard UV LED printer from Satbir

By Venkat Raghavan
Compact Advertising LLC invested in a 5 meter UV LED printer from Leopard brand through Satbir International General Trading. The Leopard brand is supplied by the JHF Beijing Technology Company, which is one of the leading manufacturers of UV Inkjet Printers in China.
Talking about the reason for opting the brand and motive, Mohammed Ramath, managing partner from Compact Advertising, “JHF enjoys close to 80% of the market share in the UV printer segment in China and our 9

Venkat Raghavan, 19 December 2017

Monia hosted an open house event in Sharjah

Monia Importers FZC hosted an open house event at their Sharjah office on November 16. During the event they have  launched the  CRON digital Flexo plate making demo center as well as  Training center with the collaboration from Toyobo flexo Water Washable Plates, G&J, and Flexologic.
Speaking about the open house, Hassan Abou Taam, CEO of Monia Importers FZC, commented, "The demo center will be the first of it’s kind in the Africa Middle East region as it will be solvent free and

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

Xerox rolls out High Fusion Inks for its Trivor digital inkjet press

Xerox has initiated the beta user rollout of its new High Fusion Inks (HFI) for its Trivor digital inkjet press.
Speaking to PrintWeek on day two of Xerox’s inaugural Inkjet-setters Summit conference in Marseille, Xerox Inkjet chief technology officer Paul Morgavi named one “early adopter” as Belgium-based VPrint, while the other has not been named. Phased commercial availability is due to start by the end of the year.
First discussed at Drupa, Xerox’s High Fusion Inks allow for inkjet printing

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

Emirates produces aircraft parts with 3D tech

Emirates has announced that it has used 3D printing technology to manufacture components for its aircraft cabins. The airline has reached a milestone in innovation by using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a new 3D printing technique to produce video monitor shrouds. One of the other recent achievements has been the 3D printing, certification and installation of aircraft cabin air vent grills for onboard trials.
Emirates has worked with 3D Systems, a US based 3D printing equipment  manufacturer

Staff Writer, 19 December 2017

Sultan inaugurates Sharjah Publishing City

Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi,  ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated Sharjah Publishing City (SPC),  a special zone for hundreds of publishers and stakeholders in the publishing industry.
The major new project of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) aims to provide an investment environment for publishers from around the world through its provision of “world-class” publishing services that include printing, licensing and distribution.
Phase one of the landmark project, located near the intersection of

Staff Writer, 19 November 2017

F7 Printers and Sam Ink partners together

F7 Printers partners again with Sam Ink for the Eco Solvent inks. As a next phase they are planning to introduce UV Ink series as well for DX5, DX7 and Ricoh Heads.
Talking about the partnership, Sreekumar Rengan from F7 Printers, commented, "The expanded interest for Eco Solvent Ink in the market and look for a trustworthy maker drove us to have this tie-up. Since 2006, we have been having association with Sam Ink and around three years back we had plans to begin the 'bottling plant' in UAE

Staff Writer, 19 November 2017

Canon partners with eXtra

Canon Middle East has signed with United Electronics Company (eXtra), as a strategic partner for Canon Office Personal Products (OPP) in Saudi Arabia.
“The Middle East is undergoing a largescale transformation, and Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this change. People in KSA are technologically advanced, and with a connected young population, the country will continue to lead retail consumption, thereby contributing to economic growth. Together with United Electronics Company (eXtra), Canon

Staff Writer, 19 November 2017

SGI Dubai to have live car wrapping demonstrations during the 3-day event

SGI Dubai to have live car wrapping demonstrations during the 3-day event. As part of the exhibition, several vehicles will be made available for the demonstrations. In previous editions, numerous brands from Al Futtaim Motors were utilised for the car wrapping demonstrations. Signtrade, Signmax, Strings International and Al Shabak partcipated in the demonstrations among the exhibitors of the last iteration of SGI Dubai. “Year on year, there is a steady growth in the number of automobiles

Staff Writer, 19 November 2017

Heidelberg demonstrated Smart Print Shop

Heidelberg kept a special event on ‘Building the Smart Print Shop of the Future’ in Dubai at their office on 25th November. During the event, Anthony Thirlby, Prinect general manager Worldwide, gave the Keynote. The one-day event the visitors were given a detailed information on how Prinect workflow allows them time to run your business, how to react to reporting data, and ultimately improve the level of business productivity and profitability.

During the event, Thirlby, explains the issues

Staff Writer, 08 November 2017

IPACK-IMA and MEAT-TECH promoted their event in Dubai

Venkat Raghavan, 08 November 2017

Heimtextil media promoted their show in Dubai

Venkat Raghavan, 08 November 2017

Epson launches cartridge free printers, reducing ink costs

Venkat Raghavan, 08 November 2017