MMS Roundtable Conference 2025: Experts speak

The Mumbai Mudrak Sangh (MMS) Roundtable Conference 2025 is taking place at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 10 to 12 July. The first day of the conference concluded with an expert panel discussion where leaders from the eight roundtables elaborated on insights from their interactions.

Bespoke digital print considerations
Saifee Z Makasarwala, COO of Silverpoint Press, discussed bespoke digital print. He stated, "Bespoke cannot be mass. It is one or two at most." The key issues he found at his roundtable discussion included file management, where short digital turnaround times require quick client communication for rectification. Print consistency presents a challenge, demanding routine machine calibration. The entire machine ecosystem, including humidity and media, requires calibration for consistent colour. For short-run jobs to yield returns, hundreds of different jobs must be processed daily, which necessitates a proper pre-flighting setup.

Makasarwala also addressed the use of artificial intelligence (AI). He questioned how AI could improve processes rather than just present challenges. He noted the existence of software for deep artwork personalisation and stressed the need to deploy these tools. 

When asked how Silverpoint Press manages hundreds of jobs with runs of one or two, Makasarwala explained their web-to-print portal and API integrations with clients. Jobs are pre-defined and templated, with specifications arriving digitally. Files are prepared based on paper grammage, then batched, imposed, and queued. This system handles 500 to 1,000 jobs daily, reaching nearly 2,000 jobs in peak seasons. He cited a UK printer handling a million jobs monthly, highlighting efficient execution as key.

Inkjet digital book printing and publishing
Vijay Jadhav, assistant general manager of manufacturing excellence at Repro India, led the discussion on inkjet digital book printing and publishing. Participants from India and Sri Lanka, including printers, publishers, OEMs, dealers, and material suppliers, agreed that offset and digital inkjet should operate in conjunction, not as replacements. Inkjet offers personalisation, short runs, and print-on-demand capabilities.

Jadhav described inkjet printing as an ecosystem encompassing substrate, workflow, profiling, and inks. A current challenge is the limited availability of suitable substrates for inkjet printers. The technology is developing, but a shortage of skilled manufacturers exists. 

He noted that 1,300 inkjet presses are operating in China compared to approximately 35 in India. Questions arose regarding the impact of small temperature and humidity fluctuations on inkjet press performance. Machine operations present challenges, including maintenance costs, the importance of preventative maintenance, and selecting the correct feedstock.

Establishing the India-Sri Lanka printing corridor
Dammikka Sriwardhana, managing director and CEO of Design Logics Connect, explored the India-Sri Lanka Printing Corridor. He questioned how to build a strong alliance for mutual benefit between the two countries. He highlighted that the global printing industry is valued at USD 1.2-trillion, with China accounting for 30% of the market. Sriwardhana proposed immediate action to increase the market share for India and Sri Lanka in terms of volume.

Artificial intelligence in MIS and automation
Himanshu Pandey of Avantika Printers discussed artificial intelligence in management information systems (MIS) and automation. He observed a shift from "AI cannot be trusted" to "AI can be a best friend."

Pandey outlined AI's potential to identify and resolve bottlenecks, aid decision-making for their removal, and facilitate rapid implementation of AI-generated suggestions. He also addressed the challenge of training AI without losing data to global servers. AI can train employees, and owners should clarify how AI improves job efficiency to address employee concerns about job loss. In MIS, effective prompts can support business growth and scaling.

Regarding the perceived complexity of AI implementation, Pandey stated, "We are just using it." He explained that it involves comparing outputs from different AI agents. He noted that AI is new to many but widely used. The quality of AI's output depends on the prompt's conciseness and definition. AI functions as a data library, identifying optimal solutions for users to modify and apply.

Driving sustainability in print
Janaka Rathnakumara, president of the Sri Lanka Association of Printers, led the roundtable on sustainability in print. He highlighted the environmental challenge: "We now have eight billion people, and one planet. In 2100, the population will be 11-billion, but we will still have one planet." He stressed the need to cultivate a culture of responsible citizens.

Rathnakumara advocated for changing printing principles towards a circular economy, focusing on "reduce" to minimise waste, money, and emissions. He emphasised the necessity for clean air and water for future generations. 

When asked about companies prioritising cost over sustainable products, Rathnakumara advised understanding the difference between genuine sustainability and greenwashing. He suggested that real sustainability can maintain costs, anticipating future carbon trading methods. 

He cited Sri Lanka's apparel industry, which focuses on sustainable plants and products beyond monetary value. He called for a mindset change, beginning in schools, regarding sustainability and social responsibility. He suggested incentivising employees for sustainable ideas and considering material choices at the design stage.

Digital labels and flexible packaging insights
Isha Deshpande, director at Trigon Digipack, discussed digital labels and flexible packaging. The discussion focused on digital technology's role in anti-counterfeiting and variable data printing for various industries. A key question was whether brands are willing to adopt these services and acknowledge the need for rectification. 

The roundtable also explored how inkjet, flexo, and gravure technologies complement and collaborate. Sri Lanka was highlighted as an export-oriented market with printing and packaging standards comparable to the European Union.

Deshpande shared that joining the print industry was not planned. She developed an affinity for packaging, describing it as an industry that "will never go out of style." Her company, Trigon Digipack, focuses on innovation and adding value to projects.

The craft of flexography and folding cartons
Gopi Ballarwad, business partner at Itek Packz, spoke on flexography and folding cartons. He described the process as an artist's job: "You are creating stuff which people imagine, and give it to them physically."

Discussions covered various aspects, including substrates, inks, and anilox. Ballarwad noted Itek Packz's history in flexography since 1994, starting with a three-colour Mark Andy press and producing self-adhesive labels for two decades before the acquisition.

Enhancing value with digital embellishment
Shailesh Sharma, CEO at Inndus Cards and Gifts, discussed digital embellishment. He questioned how to increase revenue by adding print processes and how to integrate embellishment from a job's inception. Embellishment, he stated, helps retain customers and differentiates a business in the market, becoming a necessity.

Regarding the decision to buy an embellishment machine in-house versus outsourcing, Sharma suggested generating demand for the equipment through outsourcing first, building a requirement, and then investing. He advised that embellishment should not be considered a mainstream product. He also recommended that print service providers create sample kits to demonstrate their printing capabilities to clients.

The MMS Roundtable Conference 2025 panel discussion underscored an industry adapting to technological advancements, environmental demands, and global market shifts. The conversations highlighted a sector dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. The insights from Colombo provide direction for printers navigating a complex and opportunity-rich future.