Press Manufacturers Feel the Heat as Global Crisis Spreads
Leading manufacturers such as Heidelberg and KBA can adopt innovative strategies to reverse the global trend and promote confidence in the regional market
[10-Dec-2008] It is common nowadays to hear of companies reporting major losses amid the global financial crisis. The economic slowdown is taking its toll across almost every business sector. The regional printing industry, too, faces its share of challenges in terms of sustainability and adopting the necessary measures to cushion the impacts of demand and price fluctuations.

Digital Rush
[10-Dec-2008] With the breathtaking competition from digital media and tougher environmental regulations, equipment manufacturers are coming up with new digital philosophies and solutions that are both green and clever

The wide reach of narrow web
ME Printer tracks some of the latest happenings in the narrow web label industry, the new technologies being adopted, and a glimpse into some of the recently launched narrow web presses.
[13-Nov-2008] Narrow web, for so long the domain of flexo and letterpress printing, has spread its wings. As the demand for labels has broadened from simple self-adhesive paper-based substrates to filmics in one direction and cartons in the other, the technology has moved into markets previously dominated by wide web flexo, rotogravure, and sheet-fed offset. Narrow web printers can now produce smaller quantities of flexible packages at very competitive costs.
A noticeable trend in the industry is the continued growth of servodrive technology. The market acceptance of servo is far greater, and the price relative to traditional line shaft drive is considered reasonable. Combination presses offer a variety of print options, including flexo, offset, screen and gravure, combined with hot and cold foil, leading to the creation of flexible technology for single pass production that requires a new breed of machine operative and a new way of working.

Take the Leap-Follow your Gut Instincts
[13-Nov-2008] Are you a label printer seeking an insight into future trends for the sector? Don’t bother with a crystal ball; it would take too long for the fog to clear after you had primed it with a question. Go with your gut feelings

Lifeline of Future Printers
[13-Nov-2008] Ever since printing was invented, printers
have made efforts to introduce value added features or services to gain a competitive edge. In this article, Rod Hayes offers some smart solutions that can help you go that extra mile for your customers

ME Printer celebrates its 50th issue
ME printer’s contributors discuss the magazine’s achievement so far and its role in serving the regional printing industry
[12-Oct-2008] This month ME Printer celebrates the publication of the milestone 50th issue. The idea, which was conceived over Drupa 2000 with the simple intention of being the voice of the printing industry in the region, has grown to become a platform where print houses, print technology experts, manufacturers and distributors in the region discuss the latest developments in print production in the region. We have had the privilege of being associated with some of the best minds in the industry, whose contributions and opinions have had tremendous impact on our readers—whether the technical expertise of Frank Romano, the meticulous reports of Rod Hayes, or the comprehensive analyses of Dr. George Nubar Simonian. On this occasion, we are more than pleased to share their comments on ME Printer’s role in the regional print industry.

The inward award
[12-Oct-2008] The Emirates’ leadership clearly has global ambitions and in doing so printers in UAE are blessed with inward print business opportunities. However there are also challenges in attracting print orders from overseas. Rod Hayes explains why.