After nearly a decade spent online, the National Book Trust (NBT), India's government-backed publisher, is bringing its six-week Book Publishing Course back to its Vasant Kunj headquarters in New Delhi. The return to intensive, in-person instruction is set to begin on 1 June 2026.
Target learning is continuing its partnership with the Maharashtra State Board for the third consecutive year
The Indian paper and packaging sector finds itself at a critical juncture, defined by a stark divergence between long-term opportunity and immediate operational peril. On one hand, global sustainability mandates, including the imperative to replace plastic, are fuelling a structural boom, positioning India as a natural manufacturing beneficiary in the emerging circular economy. On the other hand, the industry is grappling with acute geopolitical volatility and a profound debate over the role of human skill in an increasingly digitised era.
The Screen Printers’ Association of India (SPAI) successfully hosted its meet and greet, industry networking evening at Hotel Golden Chariot, Vasai, witnessing an overwhelming response from the printing fraternity, with over 100 printers in attendance.
Polls are now open to vote for the 2026 edition of PrintWeek’s annual Power 100 list
The fragile global supply chain has buckled again, this time at the hands of rising conflict in the Middle East, forcing a swift and immediate price increase across all packaging ink and coating products from industry giant Flint Group. The company, a critical supplier to the global Flexible Packaging, Paper & Board, and Narrow Web industries, announced the hike today, citing a cascade of supply and cost pressures that show no sign of easing.
Finished paper prices have reportedly surged by INR 2-6 per kg, with mills citing justifications such as LPG shortages, elevated waste paper costs, and global geopolitical disruptions. However, figures on the ground present a contradictory picture. Industry observers point out that the increase in finished paper is highly disproportionate to the rise in the primary raw material— waste paper — whose cost has only risen by an estimated INR 0.70-2 per kg. Since waste paper is the fundamental input for recycled paper mills, this disparity has led to calls for greater transparency in pricing.
The global market for flexographic and gravure printing is set to reach UDS 347.6-billion in 2025, according to a new report from Smithers, even as both traditional print processes navigate major challenges from digital technology, sustainability mandates, and a critical shortage of skilled labour.
KN Panikkar, a doyen of Indian history whose rigorous scholarship illuminated the complexities of the colonial past and shaped decades of public debate on secularism, died on 9 March 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, at the age of 89.
The news, when it surfaced, felt less like a police report and more like a betrayal ripped straight from the soul of the nation. In Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, 15,000 government-supplied textbooks — books meant to be the free, priceless keys to a future for poor children — were sold by the very teachers entrusted with their distribution. The price? Four rupees per kilo. Let that sink in. The future of a thousand children, sold for less than the price of a cup of tea.
The Offset Printers Association (OPA) has announced a milestone for the 7th edition of the Print Olympiad 2026, India's leading talent platform for the printing and packaging industry. Following a rigorous verification process, 348 students have been confirmed as eligible participants for the competition, narrowing the field from 546 initial registrations.
Demand drivers across packaging segments
The company also sold three Vorey AuraCut A6 digital label die-cutters at Pamex, in addition to eight sold at a recent Labelexpo China, with all installations planned by March 2026. It also sold five variable data imprinting systems for security and labels, and packaging applications
Komori India has announced the successful closure of ten new press orders at Pamex, reaffirming strong market confidence in Komori’s advanced printing solutions across multiple regions of India.
Provin and Katsura India made a strong start at Pamex, with an overwhelming response to Katsura’s high-quality rubber rollers.
Wanjie India has announced multiple successful deal closures at Pamex 2026, marking the exhibition as a highly impactful platform for business growth and customer engagement. The highlight among these is the sale of the WJPS-450 Intermittent Offset Printing Press to a customer in western India.
A survey of top young industry professionals for PrintWeek's 'Forty Under Forty' project reveals a strong current of excitement and optimism about the printing and packaging sectors, despite acknowledged challenges in pricing and competition. When asked to rate their excitement on a scale of 1 to 5, the pulse of the industry is a healthy 4 out of 5, with many leaders rating their enthusiasm at the highest level.
The consensus among the 'Forty Under Forty' young leaders points to a singular, overriding priority for their 2026 capital expenditure: advanced, large-scale production technology to unlock new market segments and improve operational efficiency.
Based on the responses from industry leaders in the Forty Under Forty (FUF) submissions, the favourite element of a factory is a dynamic mix of human capital and optimised operations, while the "secret" strengths often revolve around deep-rooted process integrity and technological agility.
The responses from industry leaders who have won PrintWeek's Forty Under Forty (FUF) define the ideal factory not just by its size or machinery, but by its operational discipline, advanced technology, and human-centric culture.
The Bombay Exhibition Centre is about to host Pamex 2026, and in the usual flurry of glossy brochures and optimistic pronouncements, one can discern the anxieties of an industry caught between two irreconcilable forces: the tactile, carbon-heavy legacy of ink on paper, and the hyper-efficient, data-driven mandate of Industry 4.0. The show’s promise, "bigger than ever," feels less like a boast and more like a necessary exorcism of doubt.
Across the dense industrial geography of Mumbai — from the labyrinthine print hubs of Byculla and Parel to the massive machine shops of Thane — the unmistakable, percussive knock-knock-knock of the reciprocating air compressor is fading. In its place, a hum. The shift is not about a new corporate mandate or industrial chic; it is a cold, calculated move driven by the bottom line, the high price of power, and the sheer scarcity of real estate.
Bindwel has delivered significant improvements in production quality and customer support for two printing businesses in Chennai: Resh View and Exact International. The positive testimonials from both firms underscore Bindwel’s commitment to quality manufacturing and exceptional service
September Editorial by Dibyajyoti Sarma, associate editor, PrintWeek
Day One of the Jury Meet for the PrintWeek Awards 2025 on 9 September focused on books. One of the key categories was Book Printer of the Year (POD). In recent years, POD has emerged as a distinct category within digital printing. The Award honours short-run books (starting from one copy) with complex post-press embellishments.
The verdict at the end of Day One of the PrintWeek Awards Jury Meet among the 11 jurors was: the landscape of specialty and trade book production is witnessing remarkable advancements, characterised by a fusion of intricate craftsmanship, sophisticated technology, and stringent quality control. This year's entries for the Book Printer of the Year (Speciality and Trade) Award showcase a diverse range of techniques and a dedication to overcoming complex production challenges.
Day One of the PrintWeek Awards Jury Meet on 9 September saw 11 industry leaders from the printing and publishing sectors come together to evaluate more than 71 entries across seven categories. A review of the submissions for the Book Printer of the Year (Education) award reveals several key trends and impressive innovations in book production.
Using digital printing for short-run book production, whether it’s one or 50 or 1,000 copies, has now become the norm. Yet, the comparison with offset persists. Plus, digital printing has its own set of challenges. In this conversation with Dibyajyoti Sarma, Pallippuram Sajith, managing director, Impel Services (Bindwel - Stelda group), sheds light on the challenges surrounding short-run book printing in digital and offers some handy solutions
The Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations of India (FPTA) has sent an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the recent increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Paper & Paperboard (Chapter 48) from 12% to 18%. The letter, signed by Mehul Mehta, the president of FPTA, highlights the negative impact of this decision on the entire paper industry and its associated livelihoods.
The Jury Week for PrintWeek Awards 2025 will be held on 9 to 11 September at Voltas Premises in The Autocar Studio.
In an era dominated by digital media, the printed book is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in India. This multi-year rally in demand for physical books is driving significant transformation within the Indian print and binding industry.
India's independent publishers and booksellers are making an urgent appeal to the government to reduce or abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on book printing and paper, warning that the current high rates are threatening the nation's book culture and hindering access to knowledge.
The US President Donald Trump announced the additional tariffs on Indian goods imported to the US on 6 August 2025. This follows an earlier 25% duty implemented on 1 August 2025, targeting India’s continued purchase of Russian oil amid geopolitical friction over the Russia-Ukraine war.
Delhi-based Inkfinity Prints has excelled in high-volume bookbinding, producing 15,000 books in 20 hours with Bindwel machines, including a Bindwel six-clamp perfect binder
The Indian paper industry is experiencing a wave of strategic investments aimed at boosting production capacity and enhancing efficiency. Four paper mills—Andhra Paper, Orient Paper & Industries, Kuantum Papers, and Satia Industries (SIL)—have announced substantial capital expenditure plans, signalling a robust outlook for the sector.
Amit Sharma has been awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in printing technology by the Department of Printing Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar.
PrintWeek and HP are set to host a webinar on 19 August (Tuesday), which will focus on HP's Nonstop Digital Printing: Transforming India's Publishing, Digital Journey. The one-hour knowledge session at 15:00 IST promises to deliver engaging and insightful discussions on trends, solutions, and growth opportunities within the digital printing landscape.
In the competitive world of print, the pursuit of lower costs often leads to unforeseen consequences. On the eve of the Bindwel open house in Bengaluru, book-binding expert Suresh Nair shared his thoughts on "The Hidden Cost of Cheap Binds: How Fillers Are Ruining Bookbinding". Nair said he hopes to light on a silent culprit undermining the durability and appearance of books: fillers in adhesives and paper.
Pratap: A Defiant Newspaper traces the fearless journey of a family-run Urdu daily that stood firm through India’s freedom struggle, Emergency, and Punjab’s unrest—offering a rare glimpse into Urdu journalism’s bold legacy.
Print and binding houses across India are significantly enhancing their production capabilities and operational efficiency through investments in post-press machinery. This adoption is enabling them to meet growing demands, expand service offerings, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.
Gopsons Printers, headquartered in Noida, has expanded into short-run inkjet digital printing and invested in Bindwel’s Trimit 30C to address the demand for high-quality, short-run book production with minimal manual intervention and faster turnaround.
Aditya Singhvi of Singhvi Prints is located in Shanicherji ka Than in Jodhpur. And over the years, the digital print specialist has created a brand for themselves in Rajasthan for their work in coaching books, magazine, customised albums, brochure catalogs, visiting cards, pamphlets and now labels.
Shree Balaji Bindings in Meerut has upped the ante with its book-binding process with the installation of the Bindwel 2500.
The founder of SK Offset, Priyanshu Agarwal said the new investment will bolster the firm's post-press division and target book publishers and print firms in Meerut.
Entries have been invited to the Publishing Next Industry Awards 2025. In its 12th year, the Awards, established under the aegis of the platform of the Publishing Next conference, seek to recognise the innovation and leadership of publishing professionals and others in the book trade. They are the only awards of their kind in India.
In this book series, we find out what industry icons read and why. For the 17th Anniversary issue, Chaitanya Kejriwal, joint managing director of Parksons Packaging shares his favourites
The Vijayawada-based Nagendra Enterprises has invested in a Bindwel Freedom 5K 12-clamp perfect binder which caters to the print firm's requirement for books, plus it has been designed to consume minimal energy per book.
Basant Digital Solutions has taken on a new Bindwel to boost its efficiency and take advantage of its automation features.
Anupam Xerox has installed the SigLoch Sigma, which is a single-clamp perfect binder from Bindwel to bolster its post-press capacity for books and leaflets. The perfect binder is expected to boost the fortune of Anupam Xerox which is one of the oldest and renowned digital print firms located in Goregaon East in Mumbai.
Regal Print Service has installed a Bindwel BW@2500 Epic to boost the production of private publications and text books. "Its production speed and quality have been fantastic,” Venkatesh M of Regal Print Services told PrintWeek
Crossword has been one of the most recognised bookstore chains in India for a long time now. And now, it is no longer confined to metro cities. Its expansion into smaller cities has brought bookstores to places that had a strong demand for them. Aakash Gupta, CEO, Crossword, shares the company's journey with Dibyajyoti Sarma
The cover story of the March issue of PrintWeek highlights how Lineomatic has created a model for the rest of the industry to emulate.
The cover story of the February issue of PrintWeek is the review of PrintPack India 2025, which took place on 1-5 February 2025 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.
Publishers need to bring parents into the fold with an outreach programme. Once the community is on board and understands what works and how they could help ‘Raising Readers’, we would see a shift, says Neeraj Jain, managing director at Scholastic India, in conversation with Dibyajyoti Sarma
With 576 companies securing their spots, covering a net display area of more than 34,062-sqmt, the 16th edition of the show, organised by IPAMA, is ready to showcase the latest technology solutions on 1-5 February 2025, at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. The January 2025 issue of PrintWeek highlights what to expect at the show, which the organiser says, will be bigger than ever.
First things first. Saurabh Printers based in Greater Noida has enhanced its production capabilities with the installation of the Freedom 2K short-run bookbinding system from Bindwel Technologies. This system is designed for efficiency and precision, perfectly aligning with Saurabh Printers' focus on delivering high-quality printed products to its diverse clientele.
SAP Print Solutions has taken a significant step forward in short-run book printing with the installation of the Bindwel Freedom 2K SRS binder at their new facility in Bhiwandi.
Industry pundits say that the Indian paper industry will report revenue growth between 6% and 9%. However, debt levels are expected to be elevated due to the debt-funded capex mostly towards capacity expansion in the packaging segment. Dibyajyoti Sarma and Rahul Kumar investigate
Labelexpo India 2024 is all set to open its doors on 15 November. To mark the occasion, the cover story of the November issue of PrintWeek features a preview of the products and services being showcased at the premier label show.
Andhra Paper and JK Paper have been impacted by sluggish results. The margins for JK Paper have dipped from 25% to 16% while Andhra Paper has reduced from 27% to 12%.
The October issue of PrintWeek brings readers details about the winners from the 14th edition of the PrintWeek Awards. Read on to find out what is in the October issue of PrintWeek and WhatPackaging?
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Commerce (Directorate General of Trade Remedies) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of virgin multilayer paperboard from Chile and China PR.
Bindwel-Stelda Group, a leader in precision engineering for focused applications, has appointed Suprotik Das as mentor-director. A management expert and technical authority in dispensing technology, Das brings decades of global leadership experience, including his tenure as managing director of Nordson India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s leading manufacturer of precision fluid dispensing equipment, Nordson Corporation.
The Jury Week for the 14th edition of PrintWeek Awards was hosted on 2-4 September 2024, where the esteemed Jury members reviewed and studied more than 250 entries and more than 800 samples. Subsequently, a shortlist was released.
During the three Jury days for PrintWeek Awards 2024, Jury members discussed samples animatedly, and everybody had an opinion. One thing they all agreed on, however, was that the samples this year were exceptional when compared to the previous years. A Jury member said, “Everything looks world-class.” Here are some key trends that have emerged from the PrintWeek Awards entries
Siegwerk has announced the launch of its ambitious waste management drive with an aim to transform the environment in Bhiwadi and its surrounding areas. This initiative under the aegis of its corporate social responsibility programme is a part of its commitment toward making a cleaner and healthier community. The project team comprises environmental experts and solid waste specialists, with close monitoring and support by Siegwerk India's CSR team.
The American Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has honoured the global printing ink specialist Hubergroup for the fourth time in a row for its pioneering standards in terms of environmental protection, sustainability and social commitment.
Brückner Servtec recently celebrated its 1,000th completed upgrading project. The company achieved a milestone after it successfully installed an Inline Coater (ILC) at the five-layer BOPP film stretching line of Gurugram-based SRF Limited.
UFlex partnered with the PHD Chamber of Commerce for the Global Sustainability Summit 2024, held on 13 September at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The summit is dedicated to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by integrating sustainability into their business models in alignment with the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs).
NBG Printographics hosted a two-day open house to celebrate its unit-type wide-web flexo printing machine StarFlex HT- 13.5 colour with reel-and-sheet output on 23-24 August.
With SmartGravure, Bobst has achieved a great, game-changing leap forward for gravure printing, revolutionising the gravure printing process from being a highly manual operation to a fully digitalised workflow.
S Chand Group, India’s leading education content company through its subsidiary New Saraswati House has partnered with Embibe, India’s foremost AI-powered learning and outcomes platform, to transform the learning experience for students in Grades 9 and 10.
The Awards season is upon us. The 14th edition of PrintWeek Awards, one of the most coveted industry awards, will be held on 23 September 2024, at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake.
In this special feature, Dibyajyoti Sarma asks writers, critics, and people involved with books, about their reading habits. The making of a book is a long process involving many parts. Publishers pick up manuscripts and get them ready for publication. Designers design the look of the book before it goes to print. There are printers. There are binders. There are distributors. There are booksellers. And finally, there are the readers, who will pick up these books and read them and cherish them
With the gala award night for PrintWeek Awards 2024 set to be held on 23 September 2024, the cover story of the August 2024 issue PrintWeek focuses on celebrating the excellence and clout of the industry.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Union Budget for 2024–25 on 23 July 2024, with the new tax regime taking centre stage. Spanning nine key priorities, the budget impacts various sectors, including agriculture.
Drupa 2024 is over, but its impact still reverberates. The July issue of PrintWeek carries an in-depth review of the show and its impact on Indian printers.
What is common among TCPL, Manipal, Nutech, EPL, ITC, iMS Group, Holostik, Afflatus, Hitech Print Systems, and Yarbal Print-Pack, besides being top players in their segments? The answer is simple. They are all winners of the PrintWeek Awards 2023. This year, it’s your turn to be a part of this esteemed list.
Parag Honour List, an initiative of Tata Trusts, has released Parag Honour List 2024 — a curated collection of outstanding books in English and Hindi for children, young readers and young adults.
After a wait of eight long years, and 11 eventful days later, Drupa 2024, considered to be the biggest industry trade show in the world, concluded on 7 June 2024. The June issue of PrintWeek put a spotlight on th, especially highlighting the deals made by the Indian printing and packaging industry.
Entries have been invited to the Publishing Next Industry Awards 2024. In its 11th year, the Awards, established under the aegis of the platform of the Publishing Next conference, seek to recognise the innovation and leadership of publishing professionals and others in the book trade.
The massive 274-page May 2024 edition of PrintWeek unveils the annual Power 100 list. It’s a must-read edition to find out who made the cut this year — who managed to hold onto their positions and the surprise names who made it to the list this year.
Printed books are seeing a dramatic resurgence. And the Indian print industry is ready to seize the opportunity.
: Established in 1990, Dev Priya Industries began production of kraft paper with an installed capacity of 12,000-mt per annum. Later the Delhi-based group diversifed to virgin kraft paper. Amit Gupta, technical director, of Dev Priya Industries talks to Rahul Kumar at the group headquarters.
Kalachuvadu Publications was named the Publisher of the Year in the Publishing Next Industry Awards 2023. Marking the 10th anniversary of the awards, the announcement on 31 March 2024 in Goa named winners in 11 categories of the prizes that recognise excellence in Indian publishing
To mark the occasion of International Mother Language Day, observed on 21 February every year, the Oxford University Press (OUP), a department of the University of Oxford, announced the launch of a bilingual English-English-Assamese Dictionary and a new edition of the Oxford mini English-Bengali Dictionary. The launch of these dictionaries ties in with celebrations of International Mother Language Day, also known as Matribhasha Diwas, in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
S Chand Publishing recently concluded its first edition of the nationwide Knowledge Quest Quiz 2024 with a grand finale held at Bal Bharati Public School in Delhi on 12 February. Combining online and offline rounds, the quiz witnessed intense competition among students across India, highlighting their general knowledge and love for learning.
The cover story of the February issue of PrintWeek highlights the discussions that took place during Print Summit 2024 (PS24), on 18 January 2024 at the Tata Theatre, NCPA. The event hosted an impressive line-up of speakers who discussed what print and packaging businessmen should know.
The Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA), the non-profit organisation, which is the strongest advocate against counterfeiting and illicit trade elects a new governing body. Under the new leadership, the think tank shares a critical insight into the issue of counterfeiting that is depriving India of precious revenue.
The AIFMP flagship event, Romancing Print of West, was held at Hotel Fern in Kolkapur on 21 January. The event was organised by the Kolhapur Zilla Mudrak Sangh team headed by Sanjay Thorwat, president, and his team of directors. More than 200 printers from Kolkapur and neighbouring towns, such as Ichalkaranji, Satara, Sangli, Ahmednagar and Karad attended the event.
I envision a repository where all its history, achievements, and contributions are documented and made available to printing enthusiasts and future generations, says Prof Dr Rajendrakumar Anayath, former vice-chancellor, DCRUST, Haryana in the Print Guru series.
British Council, the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, with the Publishers & Booksellers Guild, has announced the United Kingdom as the theme country for the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF), to be held from 18 to 31 January 2024 at the Central Park Mela Ground in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Kai Buentemeyer, director of Bindwel has experience of more than 30 years in manufacturing machines which have produced almost half the books consumed around the world. As the erstwhile CEO of Kolbus - a market leader in soft and hard cover adhesive binding machines - he has seen how publishing industry and book printing evolved globally, from close quarters. Buentemeyer has been visiting Indian book print firms and one multinational publisher in Delhi NCR. Dibyajyoti Sarma reports.
Taking its approach to environmental responsibility to the next level, Penguin Random House India (PRHI) has recently announced that it is transitioning its book production to use 100% recycled paper. The shift will take place in a phased manner and has already begun with the printing of text content in books on this eco-friendly paper.
Imports of paper and paperboard into India continue unabated. Following a 25% jump in FY23 in volume terms, the paper imports in the country have further gone up by a staggering 43% in the first half of FY24, reveals data released by DGCIS. The massive growth in imports is mainly due to a humungous 257% growth in imports of paper and paperboard from ASEAN, which enter the country at zero import duty under the ASEAN-India free trade agreement.
Supriya Sahu, the additional chief secretary to government, environment, climate change and forests department took to X (formerly Twitter) to say, “In a collaborative effort the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Paper (a Tamil Nadu government PSU) has taken out around 21,178 tonnes of the weed from forest areas of Mudhumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. This has been converted to 6000 MT of printing and writing paper.
The second edition of the Goa Book Fair has been scheduled for 4-8 January 2024. The event is jointly organised by the Margao-based The Dogears Bookshop.
Celebrated Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan has won the JCB Prize for Literature 2022 for his novel Fire Bird, translated from the Tamil into English by Janani Kannan. The novel was published by Penguin Random House India.
DB Corp (DBCL), India’s largest print media company and home to flagship newspapers, Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi and Saurashtra Samachar, announced its financial results for the quarter and half-year ended 30 September 2023 on 26 October.
Bindwel’s India Book-Mission will celebrate with a half-day programme packed with ideas about how publishers and printers can come together to increase book consumption in India, understand ways to make books more affordable, and evolve the country to be one among the top two book print exporters in the world.