The Department of Printing Technology at the Regional Institute of Printing Technology (RIPT) successfully concluded a comprehensive four-day online workshop titled Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Printing Industry (AAIPI). Held across two weekends on 11, 12, 18, and 19 April 2026, the event served as a critical academic and professional nexus for exploring the transformative power of intelligent technologies in modern production. The programme was inaugurated by Jayanta Banerjee, director of technical education and training for the Government of West Bengal, with patronage from Haroprosad Mondal, principal in charge at RIPT. Shankhya Debnath, head of the department and lecturer at RIPT, coordinated the sessions.
The opening weekend provided a blend of theoretical foundations and practical industrial applications. Pritam Ghosh of RIPT initiated the proceedings with an introduction to machine learning fundamentals, incorporating hands-on components to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This was followed by a session from Manu Choudhury of CDC Printers, who demonstrated the current capabilities of AI tools in automating processes within print production facilities. The second day featured Professor Arpitam Chatterjee of Jadavpur University, who delivered an insightful presentation on computational intelligence in digital halftoning and its future research possibilities.
The latter half of the workshop shifted focus toward predictive maintenance and integrated management systems. Avijit Kar, a senior research fellow at Jadavpur University, presented research on data-driven maintenance strategies designed to reduce downtime in print facilities. Complementing this, Parmeshwar Patidar of Indus Analytics demonstrated how intelligent management information systems (MIS) leverage analytics to boost operational efficiency. On the final day, Indukalpa Saikia and Mohamed Ameenurrahaman of Heidelberg India provided a practical demonstration of the Prinect workflow automation system. The workshop concluded with a session by Das Damodaran of Farb Technologies, who explored the broader potential of AI-enabled solutions across the entire printing value chain.
The event drew praise from participants for its structured approach to contemporary challenges such as AI-driven print quality prediction, automated colour correction, and predictive maintenance protocols. Feedback highlighted the workshop's success in connecting academic research with real-world industrial practice. A spokesperson for the institute noted that the programme represents a significant milestone in RIPT's commitment to preparing professionals for the future of print technology. The institute extended its gratitude to the speakers and participants for contributing to a rewarding exchange of ideas that underscores the growing importance of AI in the sector.