Women in print and packaging firms
Right from the thought process to designing until the final print, women have become an integral part of every facet of the print industry. This certainly has opened newer avenues for students, who now, aspire to be associated with the printing industry.
Here, is a list of six such women working in print firms
11 Mar 2020 | 2372 Views | By PrintWeek Team
Gayathiri Madheswaran, Rashid Printer
The print industry is better for women to work in as long as, you are not bothered about surrounded by men all the time. Also there should be zero hesitation to work in an environment where you will be the only woman among hundreds of men. And finally, you should be ready (all the time) to listen to these words “What does she know?”
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
There should be many more opportunities and less of gender-based discrimination. Also, women should feel they are secure here. The mantras at print houses should be “many more women in the industry”. This will give confidence for many more women to enter the print industry. Right now, many women hesitate to choose the print industry because they assume the print industry is not safe for women.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry - and why so?
Yes, sometimes role models give you the confidence to sustain in a male-dominated industry. A few months ago, I came across an article about Charlotte Guillard probably the first lady in the print industry. This was the early 1500s where gender-based discrimination was much more rampant than today. I admire her every day. More for her will power and confidence to breach the male-dominated industry bastion. She is a role model for women in printing.
Farheen Hodekar, Jayna Packaging
I think there's no such industry where a woman can't work. A woman is capable to work anywhere at any post. As we can see women are riding auto-rickshaws to being a CEO at an MNC plus managing household work. So if a woman can manage her career and look after her house, she can do anything.
And yes, print is a better industry for women. The print industry is a very unique industry from others because we get to learn and explore new things each and every day.
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
By generating more and more work opportunities for women. Making society aware of how one can achieve remarkable success despite being a woman. I feel, in this industry all that matters is your hard work not your gender, unlike some other industries.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry - and why so?
It's a matter of choice which depends from person to person. But I think there should be someone whose work we should idolise and look up to because we can learn so many things from the person. This will give a direction to our career.
My role model is my mom. Being a single parent is not easy, but she has raised and educated me well. She has faced many difficulties but has stayed strong and taught me to stay strong. She is my major source of inspiration.
Prajakta Kanitkar, Dhote Offset Technokrafts
Yes, our industry is very creative. A woman is a ‘born artist’ hence perfect for this industry. In addition, she has qualities of time management, skillful coordination, relationship building and the ability to keep people together. She has all the qualities required to be a successful career woman and therefore perfect for any industry including print.
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
In my opinion, the government and the private sector should incentivise the printing courses for women and recognise them for their contribution in the printing industry. There is a need to provide free technical training and get more women interested in this industry.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry - and why so?
Each woman is special in her own way. My role model is Amila Singhvi, a member of the Development Council for the Print Industry and the first woman to get the MMS, Lifetime Achievement Award. I recall her quote, “If you chase perfection, you often catch excellence”. This is a perfect motivation for all women in print. I am also inspired by Rani V Chitale who is associated with Poona Press Owner's Association (PPOA) and Medha Virkar who is associated with Kaleido Graphics.
Priyanka Manjunath, Fab-R-Signs
I truly believe there isn’t a place, job or task a woman can’t accomplish in our society. It’s only now that most women in business are getting recognised for their hard work and skillset. This is so even though women have dedicated their lives for decades.
How so?
I’m a proud woman in a man’s world. I have been running my printing unit for four years. I enjoy this industry since we get to be so creative and colourful. Above all, I get to transform designs on a computer into life as a print on fabric or flex. I do not believe this was ever an industry just for men.
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
Our industry may not be very welcoming for women at first. But times, they are a-changing. Society is more accepting and women are much-more determined and agile than they used to be. I have come across a few women designers and printers who are ready to work round the clock. Unfortunately, our country is not a very safe place for women to work at odd hours. This is the only drawback I have faced thusfar. Apart from that I am sure women are slowly creating beautiful footprints in all industries.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry - and why so?
I do not have any sort of a role model, But I definitely have principles and a strong set of values. I dream huge dreams, which motivates me every day to do better and accomplish great things. I have always wanted to provide maximum employment and be the best in our industry. I’m extremely determined to achieve my goals and will not stop until I have conquered all.
Rupali Bhosale, Spectrum Scan
Print industry consists of the traditional processes like offset, screen and digital.Historically print used to be a highly labour intensive industry.However due to massive digitization and automation, print does not require much labour these days.Women due to their highly multi-tasking capabilities can now contribute more efficiently to print industry to help streamline the operations and improve productivity.This means they can now manage and run the whole process independently.Also at lower levels women are skilled enough to manage jobs where large amount of detailing is required, for example pasting, kitting, final finishing of product and so on.
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
There are lot of career options available today for women due to the wide courses made available by both government and private institutions.Printing since time and even today is always considered as a male dominated industry.This is due to lack of awareness and knowledge among family members or due to lack of courses available to impart knowledge in this sector.
People are only aware on limited courses which women can pursue as their career like desk based jobs, computer related or accounts related jobs.However once this mind-set about the printing industry changes, we will see more and more women pursuing printing as their career. This change will be great for the printing industry too.For example printing bodies like AIMPA, BMPA can conduct short / long term courses for women to help them pursue printing as a career.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry and why so?
When someone comes into this industry, they are not aware about their role models, hence it is not necessary to have anyone as their role model. I for instance came from a commercial background before entering into this industry. However with course of time and opportunities made available, I started looking after the technical parts of the business as well.
When I came into this industry, I had zero experience and was absolutely raw for this field but I had made up my mind to face the challenges in this sector. Gradually with time, Spectrum became my family and an integral part of my life.
Rashmi Ravinarayan, Trigon Digital Solutions
The print is a great industry to work in. There is a lot of innovation and creative thoughts involved right from designing until the final print.
What’s the best way to attract more women into the sector?
A platform that can throw light about various women who are already in this sector (sharing their work experience).
This can give more confidence, awareness, and guidance to other women looking for a career in print. Also, a friendly atmosphere, work appreciation, freedom to share ideas and constant support are added ways to encourage women to work and grow in any industry.
Do women coming into the industry need role models? Who is your role model in our industry - and why so?
This new age has a lot of women entrepreneurs in various fields creating their mark. I think we can be our own role models and try to do something new and different plus inspire others too.
If you want to share your point of view about the above story or about women in print, please email: charmiane.alexander@haymarketsac.com