Holostik Group showcases the eco-friendly Paperogram hologram

Rahul Kumar (RK): Let’s start with the rewind. How has your business performed since Labelexpo Europe 2023? 

Ankit Gupta (AG): Since 2023, Holostik has seen strong growth across Indian and international markets. In India, our eco-conscious Paperogram launch was a breakthrough, driving adoption among FMCG, personal care, and pharma players seeking sustainable yet secure packaging. Globally, our phygital solutions integrating holograms, security labels, and track-and-trace have secured more than 10,000 brands across 90+ countries, with clients reporting up to 339% ROI, a 41% increase in sales, and a 90% drop in duplication (case-specific). Over the last two years, we have sharpened our focus on packaging sustainability — moving away from polyester-based holograms, innovating in paperboard security features, and introducing recyclable and eco-friendly solutions without compromising on brand protection.

RK: What surprised you the most in the label market over the last two years? 

Shobhit Gupta (SG): The last two years have clearly shown that there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ label anymore. Every brand now expects labels to carry multiple responsibilities. Three defining shifts stand out: Sustainability has become non-negotiable: Greener substrates, recyclable laminates, and eco-friendly holograms are no longer good to have”; they’re the baseline for winning packaging mandates. Phygital labels are in demand: Customers want more than decoration. They want security features tied to digital authentication, real-time track-and-trace, and consumer engagement tools. Smart packaging is moving mainstream: Labels are evolving into interactive assets that not only protect products but also connect with consumers and authenticate supply chains, turning packaging into a value-adding service. 

RK: How are your technologies at the show addressing the shift toward short-run, high-variety label production? 

AG: Our holography transfer technologies and paper-based holograms are designed to work seamlessly with flexographic printing, enabling converters to add high-security and sustainable features directly on labels and cartons. These innovations provide value-added differentiation for converters who want to meet diverse customer demands while maintaining efficiency in flexo-driven production environments.

RK: Fast forward to 2025. What’s the big story at your booth this year? What’s the one product or solution you’d call your ‘star attraction’ at this edition of the show; and what problem does it solve?

AG: The eco-friendly Paperogram is the star attraction - an award-winning paper-based hologram for mass adoption. It reduces dependence on polyester films while giving brands a sustainable, tamper-proof, and premium security feature. Alongside this, we’re showcasing advanced paperboard security solutions and the SureAssure digital authentication app, together delivering comprehensive phygital protection that integrates packaging, authentication, and consumer trust.

RK: If I’m a label printer in India (or an Indian label printer who has operations in Dubai or Africa), why should I care about this launch? What value does it bring to my business in terms of cost, speed, quality, sustainability, or something else?

SG: For Indian converters expanding into the Middle East or Africa, our Paperogram and phygital suite deliver cost advantage by reducing duplication-related losses; operational efficiency through compatibility with existing flexo/finishing lines; premium aesthetics that enhance shelf presence and brand perception; and sustainability credentials that are fast becoming a global business differentiator. Adding strength to this is our Middle East arm, Holoprint, which has emerged as a market leader in supplying high-security holographic and label solutions to A-list brands across diverse industries. Holoprint’s USP lies in its deep market expertise and ability to customise high-security features for regional compliance and consumer behaviour, making it the trusted partner for converters and brand owners alike. 

RK: Is this new kit or software truly plug-and-play with existing operations, or does it require a process rethink? 

AG: Our approach goes beyond plug-and-play. While Paperogram and holographic features integrate with existing equipment, Holostik also provides the hardware ecosystem — scanners, printers, applicators etc — to complement digital supply chain solutions. On the digital side, our SaaS-based platforms (cloud and on-premises) integrate seamlessly with ERP, CRM, and BI tools, ensuring smooth adoption without a disruptive process rethink.

RK: What kind of converters are showing the most interest in this product: flexo players going digital, digital players scaling up, or finishing-heavy firms? 

SG: We are engaging with flexo converters moving into value-added security printing; digital converters scaling up with sustainable, secure features and finishing-heavy converters seeking premium holography on cartons and flexible packaging. In essence, converters that aspire to evolve from being just printers into brand protection partners are showing the most interest.

RK: Are there real-world results or case studies you’re showcasing that demonstrate its impact, ideally with hard numbers: uptime, makeready time, waste reduction, ROI, and such?

AG: Case studies from FMCG and pharma brands demonstrate 90% reduction in product duplication; 41% increase in sales after adopting phygital labels; 339% ROI in the first year and 100% supply chain visibility through authentication and track-and-trace. While the results are case specific, these hard numbers underline the dual business and brand impact of our solutions. Since our inception, we have partnered with over 15,000 brands worldwide, strengthening our fight against counterfeiting.

RK: How does this offering stack up in terms of interoperability? Will it ‘talk to’ the rest of my workflow or equipment on the shopfloor?

SG: Interoperability is at the core of our design philosophy. Our solutions are API-driven, SaaS-enabled (cloud & on-premises), and blockchain-ready for immutable authentication records. They integrate with ERP/CRM systems, inspection systems, applicators, and scanners — ensuring our offerings don’t sit in silos but ‘talk’ to the entire shopfloor and supply chain ecosystem. 

RK: Finally, what’s your one-line pitch for why a label printer should stop scrolling and start talking to you at Labelexpo 2025? 

AG: Stop counterfeiting with Holostik. From being the holographers to the nation, to becoming the globe’s authentication partner, we now deliver phygital solutions that authenticate supply chains, secure lives, and power brands with sustainability, innovation, values, and technology.