Gulf Print & Pack is the best place for printers, converters and packers in the Middle East to see all that’s new and exciting in commercial and package printing. Mike Fairley provides a first analysis of some of the new opportunity solutions to be found at the 2011 show.

There can be little doubt that the printing and construction of packaging is perhaps one of the most complex sectors of the printing industry. It uses the widest range of materials – from paper and board, to plastics, laminates, metallic foils, etc, – incorporates pretty well every printing process from flexo and offset to gravure, hot and cold foiling and, today, even digital printing, and has some of the most demanding quality, performance and environmental requirements. Add to that all the special finishing, coating, cutting, forming, erecting, filling and sealing operations that may be required to produced the complete, filled, pack and it can soon be seen why the package printer needs to keep up-to-date with everything that’s new, whether substrates, presses, inks, converting lines, etc, or even the latest legislation and testing requirements. So, what better place for printers, converters and packers in the Middle East to go to see and discuss everything that’s new and exciting than Gulf Print & Pack 2011 which takes place in Dubai from the 14 – 17 March.