With the boom of the economy and entrepreneurship in the UAE, the demand for services related to printing is on the rise as well. The printing services industry itself is poised for steady growth, aligning with the UAE’s plan to become the global 3D printing hub by 2030.
When it comes to printing, however, the number of adjacent services that it requires is numerous. For example, a book that is printed needs efficient binding services. To print on wood or plates, the surfaces themselves need to be prepped and optimal. As such, entrepreneurs who wish to enter the print and publishing industry can choose from a range of business activities.
For all of the below business activities, entrepreneurs can receive instant licensing from SPC Free Zone, coupled with a guaranteed banking account within five working days and unlimited visas for investors, employees, and partners. You can also access a free online business cost calculator to understand how much your business setup process will cost.
So, let’s explore what these business activities could be.
1812.00 – Service activities related to printing
For entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business with a broad range, this is your ticket to getting your business up and running. From binding to engraving, etching, design of printing products, artwork, and more, this business activity is a smart choice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the printing services industry.
- Third-party Approval: Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth – Media Regulatory Office (MRO) is required for this business activity, post obtaining your trade license.
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.00 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.00 is exempt from this requirement
1812.01 – Binding of printed sheets, e.g. into books, brochures, magazines, catalogues etc., byfolding, assembling, stitching, glueing, collating, basting, adhesive binding, trimming, gold stamping
Preparing books, magazines, brochures, and catalogs for distribution isn’t as simple a task as consumers may think. Apart from the actual printing process itself, it involves binding, byfolding, assembling, stitching, glueing, collating, basting, adhesive binding, trimming, and gold stamping. This can apply to various printed materials, apart from the ones specified above. For book printers and those in the publishing industry, this activity is key.
- Third-party Approval: Obtaining Police Approval is required for this business activity, prior to obtaining your trade license.
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.01 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.01 is exempt from this requirement
1812.02 – Composition, typesetting, phototypesetting, pre-press data input including scanning and optical character recognition, electronic make-up
These terms all fall under the umbrella of preparing a document for printing, specifically the stage before the actual printing press gets involved. It’s the behind-the-scenes work that ensures your text and images look perfect on paper.
Composition is the broad term for arranging the content of a document, including text and images. Typesetting is a more specific term within composition that refers to the process of setting the text. Today, it’s mostly done electronically using software programs. Phototypesetting is an older method of typesetting that uses photographic techniques. Meanwhile, pre-press data input involves getting all the necessary content into a digital format suitable for printing. Electronic make-up is the final stage before sending the document to print.
For publishers, printers, and anyone in the publishing industry, this business activity is crucial.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.02 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.02 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.02 is exempt from this requirement
1812.03 – Plate-making services including image setting and plate-setting (for the printing processes letterpress and offset)
Plate-making services are crucial for both letterpress and offset printing. They take your digitally designed document and translate it into a physical plate that the printing press can use to transfer the image or text onto paper. This is a multi-step process.
For entrepreneurs who are interested in creating merchandise, awards, and custom works, this activity is what you need.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.03 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.03 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.03 is exempt from this requirement
1812.04 – Engraving or etching of cylinders for gravure
In gravure printing, engraving or etching refers to the process of creating an image on a metal cylinder. This cylinder is the heart of the printing process, and unlike other methods that use raised surfaces for ink transfer, gravure relies on depressed areas to hold the ink.
Similar to the business activity above this, etching on cylinders can come in use in a variety of different settings. Entrepreneurs with a business-savvy mindset can enter multiple industries, from giftmaking to office supplies.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.04 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.04 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.04 is exempt from this requirement
1812.05 – Plate processes direct to plate (also photopolymer plates)
Direct to Plate (DTP) is a specific technology used in plate-making for printing presses. It takes the digital design file and directly transfers the image information onto a special plate using a laser or other light source. The benefits of DTP are vast, from faster turnaround times to reduced costs, higher quality, and environmental-friendliness. This business activity enables entrepreneurs in this field to elevate their offerings.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.05 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.05 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.05 is exempt from this requirement
1812.06 – Preparation of plates and dies for relief stamping or printing
The preparation of plates and dies for relief stamping or printing involves several crucial steps to transform your digital design into a physical tool for creating raised impressions or applying ink. It’s likely that entrepreneurs within this industry will be familiar with these processes. Collectively, these processes are necessary to create a client’s final vision/product.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.06 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.06 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.06 is exempt from this requirement
1812.07 – Production of proofs
The production of proofs is a vital step in the printing process. It’s essentially a quality check and preview of your final printed piece before committing to a full production run. This involves both digital proofs and physical proofs.
The proofs production process itself is a multi-step one. It includes file preparation, proof generation, review and feedback, revisions, and approval, encompassing correct formatting and careful review amongst the processes.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.07 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.07 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.07 is exempt from this requirement
1812.08 – Artistic work including preparation of litho stones and prepared woodblocks
This business activity refers to two well-established artistic printmaking techniques: lithography and woodblock printing. Both involve creating artwork that can be used to produce multiple copies, but they differ in their processes and artistic outcomes.
Lithography involves a limestone surface and allows for creating a wide range of effects, from detailed line work to soft, textured tones. In woodblock printing, an artist carves their design onto a block of wood, typically using chisels and gouges.
As such, this business activity allows for the preparation of this artwork, including the artistic work itself.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.08 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.08 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.08 is exempt from this requirement
1812.09 – Production of reprographic products
This is the process of creating copies of existing documents, drawings, or images. It’s essentially the act of replicating existing visual materials. Photocopying, microfilming, and blueprinting are some popular techniques used for reprography. In the digital era, however, this mainly refers to digital scanning,
digital printing, and on-demand printing.
From business and education to engineering and healthcare, the use for reprography is vast, which makes this a lucrative business activity for entrepreneurs to have on their license.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.09 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.09 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.09 is exempt from this requirement
1812.10 – Design of printing products e.g. sketches, layouts, dummies etc.
The design of printing products involves a creative process that translates ideas into visuals for physical, printed media. As such, sketches, layouts, blueprints, and dummies are a few of the key tools used by designers and printers to create a final product. This process is essential for all businesses that spotlight printing as one of their key services.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.10 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.10 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.10 is exempt from this requirement
1812.11 – Other graphic activities such as die-sinking or die-stamping, braille copying, punching and drilling, embossing, varnishing and laminating, collating and insetting, creasing
There are various additional processes used in print finishing after the core printing is complete. They add visual interest, functionality, or protection to the final product. Obtaining this business activity is essential for all businesses involved in printing.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.11 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.11 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.11 is exempt from this requirement
1812.12 – Composition and Typesetting
Composition is a broad term encompassing the arrangement of all the elements on a page, including text, images, and graphics. It can be considered a blueprint for the final printed piece. Meanwhile, typesetting is a more specific term within a composition that focuses on setting the text portion of the document. Today, it’s almost always done electronically.
- Third-party Approval: Business activity 1812.12 is exempt from this requirement
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.12 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.12 is exempt from this requirement
1812.97 – Design & Artwork Services
Design and artwork are essential steps for almost all printing-related activities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur who focuses more on the process of printing or you’re a marketing firm that prints their own materials for advertising, design and artwork are crucial in ensuring the final product is a marketable one.
- Third-party Approval: Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth – Media Regulatory Office (MRO) is required for this business activity, post obtaining your trade license.
- Filing of Economic Substance Return: Business activity 1812.97 is exempt from this requirement
- Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 1812.97 is exempt from this requirement
Did you find what you were looking for? Explore the other guides in our Activity Hub for exploring unique business ideas in Dubai and navigate the essentials of business setup with ease.
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