Sheetfed offset: Looking back at 2016 - The Noel D'Cunha Sunday Column

New Delhi-based Polykam Offset has installed a Komori Enthrone 29 four-colour printing press. The company’s previous presses, Adast, have all been used machinery. According to Jasvir Singh, proprietor of Polykam, “quick turnaround” of jobs has become the essence of print business today. “The Enthrone delivers jobs three times faster than the company’s previous pre-owned kits. This enables us to deliver prints at the time our customers want it, if not, they will approach another printer,” Singh added.

The packaging major TCPL was in the news for sealing a big-ticket deal for three new KBA Rapida 106 offset printing machines at Drupa 2016. Of the three, a seven-colour plus double coater Rapida 106 combi UV press, which is planned for TCPL’s Silvassa unit, has since been installed. It features seven inking units and two coaters, produces conventionally as well as with UV inks/coating and will be embedded in pile logistics. A six- and seven-colour Rapida 106 with coater shall follow in early 2017.

Noida-based International Print O Pac (IPP) and Kochi-based ST Reddiar have installed high-end Komori presses. IPP’s Lithrone GL640-C is equipped with UV-IR is optimised for packaging and special printing applications. The kit was demonstrated during the Print China show in April 2015, with the machine’s special features, such as the new dryer that contribute to printing on heavy stock and high-added value printing, KHS-AI, PDC-SX (Spectral Print Density Control-SX Model), KID (Komori Info-Service Display) and UV and IR attachments in action. ST Reddiar & Sons is one of the pioneers in the field of printing with a reputation of over 129 years and has won many national and international awards for excellence in printing since 1967. The six-colour Komori Lithrone LS 29 UV press is fitted with IR from Komori Drying System (KDS) and is installed at their production unit in Kochi.

Mumbai-based Award Offset has installed a Heidelberg two-colour perfector Speedmaster SX 102 press, which the company said will give it an option to complement its present array of print offering. The press is in operation at its plant in Silvassa.  Award Offset specialises in production of cartons, catch covers, leaflets, labels and blister cards, which is supported by independent printing and finishing operations. When Awards decided to expand production and create new avenues, Nitin Shah of Award, said, it looked for a press that had high levels of automation, intelligent control and user-friendly operations which would minimise makeready times, energy consumption, and paper waste. “We found these features in the Speedmaster SX-102, coming as it is from one of our trusted partner Heidelberg,” said Nitin. The SX 102 can print up to 14,000 sheets per hour.

Meerut-based publisher of children’s and guide books, Children Choice Publication, has installed a four-colour RMGT 924 ST press enabling the firm to a broader service approach. The 1996 established firm at present has a collection of 4,000 titles, which it used to outsource before the RMGT 924 ST was brought in. In a week since its installation, the firm printed 10-lakh impressions. Arun Agarwal, the owner of Children, said, “With the investment, we have been able to maintain print quality and timely delivery to our key customers, both of which are essential to our core business.” One of the key assets of any publisher is content, created in-house or acquired from others, which is ultimately curated and designed for printing. “The quality of presentation and the inherent value has to be protected. Today, this has become a challenge, hence the decision to bring printing in-house,” said Agarwal.

Sheetfed offset: Looking back at 2016 - The Noel D'Cunha Sunday Column