Big thing about drupa is the big players participating in this biggest printing show on the earth. Now that the wait for the excitement that many of us have been fervent right from the beginning of this drupa year is about to end, everything is being set to unveil drupa 2016 from May 31 – June 10 at Dusseldorf and it will surely be a convergence for big brand wide-format machine manufacturers, OEMs and suppliers as well, amid every other big ones of the printing industry. This year, functional printing segment is estimated to be a crowd puller during this mega show.

As per the 3rd drupa Global Trends Report released recently, functional printing is continuing in positive development. In general term, this is a buoyant market and prospects of functional printing get on a more rapid pace of change. Let’s look at the digital inkjet domain, which clearly dominates and it has been impressive to see how rapidly this sector had been witnessing growth in the ceramics applications that recorded a high jump from 20 percent growth rate in 2014 to 87 percent in 2015. Functional printing categories to be presented from big presenters at drupa 2016 will comprise 3D, textiles, ceramics, printed electronics, wall coverings and others.

Another positive point reported in the global drupa report is that both printers and suppliers are now remarkably upbeat about their economic prospects. In order to succeed, according to the survey finding, they must have a positive strategy, which means capital investment. Accordingly printers and suppliers report that they will maintain strong investment levels in 2016. For printers, the priorities are print technologies, finishing and workflow. For suppliers, the top priorities are developing new sales channels, enhancing existing products and developing new products. On other hand, drupa is a tactical platform where big global players, which we may often find them missing at domestic or niche trade expos, would flock together to present best of their products and technologies to international trade visitors. Perhaps there could be no better place than drupa for all those who keen to get a positive vibe to meet, explore, sell and educate themselves about the new trends and traditions of the printing industry.

Well, as we usually do, our travelling bandwagon recently stopped at Ludhiana for ‘Region Exclusive’ coverage. One specific thing about the signage players in this glitzy city of Punjab is that they all have sheer competence to fulfill the big-fat demands of quality from corporate biggies. They are well equipped with high-end printing machines, extremely conscious about innovative jobs and projects. Every one of them looks at a broader and brighter future, chalking out expansion plans and wider market coverage. We wish them best of luck!

– Sonal Khurana
sonal@smediagroup.in