INDUSTRY NEWS

The Reserve Bank of India is preparing for a significant shift in the way Indians handle money, with plans to introduce polymer-based banknotes in denominations of INR 10 and INR 20.

India’s economic outlook for FY27 has been painted in largely positive hues by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest annual report, highlighting resilience amid global uncertainties, domestic challenges, and evolving financial trends.

The All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute (CPPRI), Saharanpur, marking a significant step towards strengthening technical collaboration between the Indian printing industry and one of the country's premier research institutions in paper and pulp technology.

The Show and Tell session at PrintWeek Leaders and Legends 2026 will bring together twelve of the industry's most compelling practitioners to share the stories, craft and ingenuity behind their most remarkable work.

Driven by their plans to tap into fresh print innovations and productivity, a number of companies from the printing, packaging, and publishing domains had invested in Komori sheetfed offset presses during the FY2025-26.

Michel Caza died on 23 May, aged 91, after a life dedicated to the craft and the ceaseless advancement of screen printing

The refinancing move will help the web-to-print giant extend debt maturities and strengthen financial flexibility as VistaPrint continues expanding across global customised print and merchandise markets, including India

Krishan Chopra, the chief editor of HarperCollins India, was a rare custodian of the grand human tradition of books and letters, a figure who not only preserved that tradition but propelled it into the future. His passing marks the loss of a senior leader in Indian English-language publishing who understood that the allure of books remains undiminished, even as the internet provides increasingly direct access to content written by its authors.

Publisher Krishan Chopra, one of India’s most influential editors and commissioning minds, passed away on 19 May 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of over five decades in publishing, shaping landmark books with presidents, Reserve Bank governors, intelligence chiefs, and literary icons.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has triggered a nationwide uproar, with the Supreme Court pulling up the National Testing Agency (NTA), opposition parties alleging a cover-up, and fresh irregularities surfacing in Maharashtra’s MH CET exam.

S Chand Publishing reported its results for the fourth quarter and for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

Vadodara-based die-maker acquires former Bobst manufacturing line and positions itself as India's single-source solution for high-end packaging tooling

After nearly a decade spent online, the National Book Trust (NBT), India's government-backed publisher, is bringing its six-week Book Publishing Course back to its Vasant Kunj headquarters in New Delhi. The return to intensive, in-person instruction is set to begin on 1 June 2026.

The Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association (IPAMA) announces the election of KS Maan as president for the remaining term of 2025-2027, following the voluntary resignation of Jaiveer Singh due to his personal business commitments at Rotta Print in the 140th Governing Council Meeting of IPAMA held on 11 May 2026 at IPAMA Secretariat, Noida.

The current landscape of print education in India is facing a significant challenge, with the existing system failing to sufficiently equip aspiring printers and youth to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has once again placed India’s examination printing ecosystem under the scanner, with investigations revealing that the breach originated at a Nashik-based printing press and courier chain. The incident has reignited debate about the role of print in high-stakes examinations and accelerated the government’s push towards computer-based testing (CBT).

Awarded by the OPA, the award highlights Anna University’s leadership in fostering excellence in specialised technical education.

PrintWeek’s fourth edition of the Women to Watch Awards is hosting its Jury Meet on 13 May 2026 in Mumbai, with 80 shortlisted entries across people and company categories

PrintWeek’s fourth edition of the Women to Watch Awards will host its Jury Meet on 13 May 2026 in Mumbai, with 80 shortlisted entries across people and company categories

The integration enables marketers to create and activate brand-safe ads directly within ChatGPT through Adobe’s performance marketing platform.

OnPrintShop will highlight AI-driven print personalisation, workflow automation, and web-to-print innovation

Seiko Epson Corporation has announced that its inkjet printers in the ET-4950, ET-3950, and ET-2950 series, as well as the EW-M678FT, EW-638T, and L6360 have won the Best of the Best Award, the highest distinction in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026.

Target learning is continuing its partnership with the Maharashtra State Board for the third consecutive year

The regional qualifying rounds for the 7th edition of the Print Olympiad 2026 have officially concluded, identifying the elite students in printing technology from across India.

Heidelberg and Ricoh are celebrating 15 years of their partnership for toner-based digital printing systems, with thousands of devices installed worldwide.

The signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral trade, with strong potential synergies for the paper, packaging, and forestry sectors

The 17th edition will be held from 30 January to 3 February 2027

The company’s sustainable offering gained visibility after deployment at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, signalling growing institutional acceptance of eco-friendly alternatives

Rain in Bengaluru destroys up to 5,000 books at the Bookworm bookstore

The body has ordered a nationwide audit of private schools over costly textbook mandates, pushing enforcement of NCERT and SCERT norms

Dias will lead Borzo’s India growth strategy, strengthen SME logistics capabilities, and scale the company’s intra-city delivery operations

Raghu Rai, the legendary photographer often hailed as the Father of Photojournalism in India, passed away at the age of 83 in New Delhi on 26 April 2026. His death marks the end of an era for global photography, leaving behind a visual archive that chronicled the birth, struggles, and vibrancy of modern India for over six decades.

The summer season is here, and it’s already a season of blaze. In recent weeks, we have heard the news of several fire incidents in different factory environments. A printing and packaging setup is especially vulnerable to fire, given the flammable materials available on the shopfloor, including paper, board and chemicals. It’s time to take preventive measures

At PrintWeek, we take our books seriously. Conversations during lunch in the office pantry often revolve around the books we're reading, the authors and characters we most like. Books are indeed serious business.

The honour is a reflection of the company's sustained commitment to building an equitable, inclusive, and people-first workplace culture

Several Indian printing and packaging companies represented India at the World Expo of Packaging Industry (WEPACK) in Shenzhen, China, which took place from 15-17 April.

Founded in 1990, GlobalVision is expected to deliver an estimated USD 25-m in sales in 2026

The redesigned platform offers faster navigation, dedicated technology spotlights, and exclusive access for registered professionals

The company recently inaugurated its Centre of Innovation (COI) in Mumbai

The acquisition strengthens Kornit’s platform strategy, expanding digital access to the global screen-printing market and advancing connected infrastructure linking demand, production and fulfilment

Hubergroup Print Solutions will showcase its extensive portfolio for metal decoration at MetPack, to be held from 5-8 May 2025

India’s cash economy has reached a new peak, with currency in circulation rising nearly 12% (11.9%) in FY26 to touch a record INR 40-lakh crore.

Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shri Krishna Graphics, Noida.

The change, announced on 14 April, 2026, marks a milestone in its strategic transformation, consolidating its focus on delivering innovation and expertise to the packaging industry

Mumbai’s Western Railway has terminated the five-year contract for all 55 AH Wheeler stalls, marking the disappearance of a colonial-era institution from city platforms. Read FAQs below.

Monotech Systems showcased its Pixeljet UV flatbed printers at the Media Expo Mumbai 2026 held from April 09–11 at Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC)

The cooperative giant achieves this by blending a farmer-first model with IT-driven growth

In a significant move to bolster security around India’s most sensitive print operations, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the headquarters of the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) in New Delhi a prohibited place under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Dharmavarapu Nagarjuna pays tribute to Bala Bhasker, a retired senior lecturer of GIPT, Secunderabad, who passed away recently

In a significant relief to the printing, flexible packaging and foil conversion sector, the Ministry of Finance has notified nil basic customs duty on 40 essential raw materials used in manufacturing inks, adhesives, lamination films and coatings.