Ink mixing and refilling supports Dubai's wider commercial printing economy, supplying custom-formulated inks, refill services, and replacement cartridges to printers, packaging companies, and corporate offices. The global printing inks market reached USD 38.15 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow to USD 47.09 billion by 2030 at a 4.5% CAGR,¹ supported by sustained demand from packaging, labelling, and commercial printing.

The printer ink cartridge segment alone was valued at USD 5.07 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 8.14 billion by 2033 at a 6.09% CAGR.² The Middle East and Africa accounts for around 5% of global cartridge demand, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa driving regional volume through commercial printing, advertising, and corporate office consumption.

An Ink Mixing & Refilling licence at Dubai South Business Hub allows businesses to operate custom ink formulation, refill services, and cartridge remanufacturing for commercial clients. The activity is classified under Services with full free zone benefits.

2022.98 - Ink Mixing & Refilling

Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed ink mixing and refilling business, providing custom ink formulation, Pantone colour matching, cartridge refilling, and supply of finished printing inks to commercial and corporate clients.

Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹

What Does the Ink Mixing & Refilling Licence Cover?

•             Custom ink formulation: mixing inks to specific Pantone colours and client specifications for packaging and commercial printing.

•             Cartridge refilling: refilling inkjet and toner cartridges for office and commercial printing use.

•             Industrial ink supply: supplying flexographic, offset, gravure, and digital printing inks to commercial printers.

•             Eco-friendly ink solutions: water-based, soy-based, and low-VOC ink formulations for sustainability-conscious clients.

•             Quality testing and colour matching: in-house testing, colour calibration, and Pantone matching services.

Who Is This For?

•             Ink mixing specialists serving commercial printers, packaging companies, and label manufacturers.

•             Cartridge refill operators supplying corporate and SME office clients.

•             Industrial ink suppliers handling flexographic, offset, and gravure printing inks.

•             Eco-conscious operators offering sustainable ink alternatives to UAE printing markets.

Activity Scope

This licence covers ink mixing, refilling, and supply operations. It does not cover ink manufacturing from raw chemicals (which has separate codes) or the operation of printing presses.

In short: if you mix, refill, or supply finished printing inks to clients, you are in. If you manufacture inks from raw chemicals or operate printing presses, you need a different licence.

Licensing & Compliance

Standard free zone licensing applies. Ink handling involves chemical safety considerations, proper storage, ventilation, and waste disposal must comply with UAE environmental and occupational safety regulations. Some specialty inks may have additional handling requirements.

Cost & Investment

Setup costs at Dubai South Business Hub start from approximately AED 12,500 to AED 18,000 per year depending on office and visa quota. Operational equipment varies, basic mixing equipment is modest, while industrial-scale operations require larger capital. Use the cost calculator for tailored pricing.

Setup Steps

1.          Verify name with company name check.

2.          Select Ink Mixing & Refilling (2022.98) from the business activities directory.

3.          Choose appropriate office and warehouse package.

4.          Submit passport copies, MOA, and lease.

5.          Receive licence within 5 to 10 working days.

6.          Process visas for owner and staff.

Why Dubai for Ink Mixing & Refilling?

Dubai's commercial printing, packaging, and corporate office sectors create steady demand for custom inks and refill services. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, tax efficiency, and direct logistics access for both raw ink imports and finished product distribution. The regional packaging market growth supports sustained ink consumption across the GCC.

References

1.          Research and Markets, Printing Inks Market Report 2026: researchandmarkets.com/reports/printing-inks-market

2.          Global Growth Insights, Printer Ink Cartridge Market: globalgrowthinsights.com/printer-ink-cartridge-market

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Ink Mixing & Refilling Business Licence cover?

It covers custom ink formulation, Pantone colour matching, cartridge refilling, and supply of finished printing inks to commercial and corporate clients.

Can I manufacture inks from raw chemicals under this licence?

No, manufacturing from raw chemicals requires a separate industrial activity code. This licence is for mixing and supply only.

Do I need any third-party approval?

Standard free zone approval is typically sufficient. Chemical handling and storage must comply with UAE environmental and safety regulations.

How much does setup cost?

From AED 12,500 to AED 18,000 annually. Operational equipment costs vary based on scale.

Can I refill toner cartridges as well as inkjet?

Yes, both inkjet and toner cartridge refilling are within scope.

How long does setup take?

5 to 10 working days for licence issuance.

Can I supply inks to packaging companies?

Yes, supplying flexographic, gravure, and digital inks to packaging companies and commercial printers is a primary use case.

Are eco-friendly inks covered?

Yes, water-based, soy-based, and low-VOC ink formulations are within the scope of this licence.

What office space do I need?

A flexi-desk works for mixing-only operations. Refill operations and inventory typically require warehouse space.

Can I sponsor staff visas?

Yes, visa quotas scale with office and warehouse package size.

Is the licence renewable annually?

Yes, annual renewal is standard.

Can I add other services later?

Yes, additional activities can be added at renewal subject to compatibility.

Can a sole owner hold this licence?

Yes, 100% foreign ownership is permitted.