With just days to go before its inauguration, Gulf Print is already shaping up to offer a wealth of the latest printing and graphics technologies, products and services. In fact this year’s show features so many large and sophisticated exhibits, building of the stands and setting up of the finely tuned printing machines is already underway in order to meet next Monday’s deadline. According to Gulf Print’s organisers, more than 400 tonnes of machinery will be moved into the halls before the opening ceremony.
Set for 2 – 5 April at Dubai Airport Expo, Gulf Print is the platform chosen by more than 170 exhibitors to present their latest print and graphics innovations. Major international and local print technology firms will take part in what will be the largest event of its kind anywhere in the Middle East, including companies like Agfa, Canon, Dynagraph, Giffin, HP and Xerox. Industry experts predict that Gulf Print is well on the way to becoming the third most important global event of its kind, emulating the world’s top networking events such as Drupa in Germany and Ipex in the UK
Already hard at work is the German printing giant Heidelberg Drukmashinen AG who will present no less than 5 machines on their huge 500 square metre stand including the Suprasetter A74. With the largest machine requiring 7 days to commission, Heidelberg will be working round the clock with a team of specialist technicians to ensure all of the machines are running smoothly by next Monday morning.
It’s the first time that working 8-colour presses have been seen in an exhibition environment in the region and visitors will also get the chance to see and experience many new launches, including several from Kodak Graphic Communications Group. They will present the regional debut for a number of machines including the Kodak Nexpress 2500 Digital Production Color Press and the Kodak Thermal Direct Non Process Printing Plate.
