Some 1,850 exhibitors from 56 countries - the most ever, following the addition of companies from Columbia, Bahrain and Estonia - will showcase their latest products across 166,000sqm of floor space.

And despite the radical structural change in the industry since the last drupa in 2008 at least 350,000 visitors are expected to attend from all over the world.

Heidelberg chairman and chief executive Bernhard Schreier, who is also chairman of the drupa 2012 exhibitors advisory board, said: "Overall we are expecting this year's drupa to stimulate positive energy for us and for the industry as a whole, and to strengthen confidence in our industry once more."

Kodak chief executive Antonio Perez added: "A good result at drupa will allow this industry to come out stronger in a worldwide economy that's still weak.

"Drupa is especially important for us this year and we are expecting a successful drupa. There is already a feeling that customers are coming to see us from all over the world."

As well as building upon established attractions such as the Drupa Innovation Park, which enables start-up companies to showcase their innovations, fresh show features for 2012 include Media Mundo, a 240sqm space in hall 9 devoted to sustainable media production.

Manuel Mataré, director of drupa, said: "For the next two weeks Düsseldorf will become a temporary home for around 1,850 exhibitors, the 30,000 strong stand personnel, the roughly 350,000 visitors and the 3,000 journalists expected to come from all over the world.

"We want to welcome them with this varied programme. Furthermore, we and/or our partners have come up with some very special events this year in order to also bring the topics of print and media a bit closer to the people of Düsseldorf."

As ever, PrintWeek is attending in force on both the Drupa Report Daily stand in Hall 7 (C01) and the Haymarket Print Group stand in Hall 6 (C63).