April issue of PrintWeek, WhatPackaging? out

The cover story survey evaluates responses from 141 industry leaders, revealing that the most successful print and packaging operations are evolving into integrated, automated ecosystems driven by strong organisational culture and system-led thinking rather than scale alone.

The 80-page issue presents a wide-ranging view of India’s print and packaging industry, capturing its shift toward resilience, systemisation, and value-led growth amid structural and economic pressures.

The editorial by Ramu Ramanathan, editor, PrintWeek and WhatPackaging? reflects on the fragility of India’s reading ecosystem through a narrative centred on delayed funding and declining library infrastructure, highlighting how systemic gaps continue to affect the print value chain.

The Women to Watch feature continues to document the growing presence and impact of women across print, packaging, and publishing, building on insights gathered since the initiative’s launch in 2023.

In the Case Study section, Clicarity highlights the transition of shopfloor workflows toward digital transparency, while the Profile section examines Decorpac’s evolution into a premium packaging provider built on a forward-looking strategy.

The Green feature addresses the carbon crisis in India’s printing industry, outlining the shift from operational efficiency to auditable sustainability, where verified environmental data is becoming critical for market access.

In Curtain Raiser, the rebranding of Labelexpo to Loupe signals a broader transformation in the label and packaging exhibition landscape, reflecting expanded applications and production approaches.

The Corrugation report from Corru Pack and Print India examines the sector’s push toward automation and sustainability, while also highlighting the ongoing reliance on imported machinery despite domestic capabilities.

Features on innovation and technology explore applications such as corrugated-based products and the growing importance of coding and marking systems in digitised supply chains.

In Publishing and Books, the issue looks at how print continues to find relevance through independent publishing initiatives and children’s literature, while Dialogue reflects on the collaborative relationship between artists and printers.

Regional and operational perspectives include DE Converter’s growth journey, a TechNova factory visit focused on sustainable manufacturing, and product insights such as the Rotatek Universal 850 and Pelican Solomark installations. 

The Product of the Month features the Rotatek Universal 850 offset press, with Ranesh Bajaj outlining its role in making short-run flexible packaging more cost-effective while maintaining print quality.

In Me and My, Nirnay Jain of Pack Blaze discusses how the Pelican Solomark rotogravure press has improved productivity while reducing conversion costs. 

The 56-page WhatPackaging? supplement features exclusive coverage of India at Interpack 2026, Echaar's open house showcasing Flexosmart HR-300, Balaji Multiflex's DEC Solvent Recovery System, Studio Modak's packaging design, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest report on paper-based flexible packaging solutions, DCGPac's profile, and much more.