Yash Seth: I would like to make my print production zero waste

What is the trait you most deplore in our industry?
In order to make sure that the exact quantity is produced, extras are printed. Printers end up printing way too much, which leads to wastage of resources. If only a reasonable amount of extras are printed, it goes a long way in saving resources and materials as well as costs of production. The current fact file (turnover/people/machines) of your press? We are a MSME print firm with mini offsets, a binding unit and a few digital machines with the help of 14 print enthusiasts. 

What is the trickiest colour that you have had to print?
I once had to print a shade of aquamarine. That was the trickiest since it became difficult to match the colour with CMYK and as the quantity was less it wasn’t feasible to offset print it or get a special colour made. I had to digital print it. 

When and which print job or project made you the happiest?
We once printed and delivered a 5,000-book print job within nine hours of getting the order from the client. 

What is your most ‘wow’ moment (print/nonprint)?
My most ‘wow’ moment is when a colour printed on an offset press matches perfectly with digitally printed colour and vice versa. 

What do you prefer - offset/flexo/gravure/ screen/letterpress/digital/printed electronics/3d/ ceramics/textile/QR? Why?
I prefer digital over all others because it promises a good quality output with very less turnaround time and almost zero wastages. Also, the return of investment (ROI) of digital presses is quite high these days. 

One print blunder you made?
I once imposed a job, which was scheduled for section sewn binding as a centre-pinned book. 

What is your favourite print joke?
This job is not urgent, you can take your time and deliver it. 

One job you wish you had printed?
I wish I got a chance to print the annual report of Infosys. The challenge of printing such subtle and decent colour on that type of paper is what I wish to take up. 

What is the greatest strength of your printing firm?
Our greatest strength is the ability and capacity to print and deliver jobs within the shortest possible time with superior quality. 

Which living print person do you most admire? Why?
I admire my dad the most as he is a print person since the last 45 years with the same resilience and passion for print. 

Which print technology, according to you, is the future? Why?
The inkjet print technology is the future according to me. It is already doing pretty well in terms of convenience and cost to the small as well as large print users. With the advancement in processes, it is set to match its standards in terms of colour accuracy and quality with the toner-based presses. 

If you could change one thing about your printing plant, what would it be?
I would like to make my print production zero waste. The produced waste can be used inside the plant for some other process. 

If you were to die and come back as a printing press or software or ink, what would it be?
I would definitely wish to come back as a fourcolour offset press. 

A technology or a thought process you think is a passé for 21st Century press?
Traditional manual machines need to be replaced by modern automatic machines, as it is the need of the hour to make sure timely delivery and quality finishing. 

What is your favourite Make in India print brand?
My favourite Make in India print brand is TechNova for its wide variety of quality products. There are certain classes of products in which printers today prefer only TechNova, even above premium imported products. 

What do you most value in your customers?
The trust that they have in us that we will be able to deliver more user value than the price we charge for print. 

What is your idea of a perfect print firm in India?
A perfect print firm is one which makes sure to deliver more than just print to its customers, provides prints, which add value to their business. 

Which words or phrases or jargon do you overuse?
At the end of the day. 

Your favourite print trade show?
Drupa.