Nippon Color showcases integrated digital workflows at Pamex

At the show, the company highlighted a shift toward digital finishing and inkjet printing, positioning these technologies as the answer to rising labour costs and the demand for sustainable production. Akshat Pardiwala, COO of Nippon Color, detailed the company’s latest offerings, which aim to eliminate the traditional make-ready process to enable faster turnaround times for short-run jobs and variable data printing.

The centrepieces of the Nippon Color showcase were two digital die-cutting systems designed to eliminate the need for physical dies. The roll-to-roll label finisher is an all-in-one system equipped with eight cutting heads, allowing for the simultaneous processing of multiple labels. 

Beyond cutting, the machine integrates lamination, matrix removal, slitting, and an in-built sheet cutter. Complementing this is the flatbed digital die cutter, marking a first for this brand in the Indian market. This machine features four interchangeable heads and includes an oscillating tool capable of cutting materials, including foam, up to 20-mm thick, effectively doubling the 10-mm standard often found in competing models.

A significant theme of the presentation was the reduction of human error through smart hardware. The label cutter utilises a CCD camera system to facilitate automatic job changeovers. Pardiwala explained that if a single roll contains five different jobs, the system scans a QR code to automatically adjust to the cutting shape and size of each specific job. This level of automation is increasingly critical as the industry faces a tightening labour market, allowing converters to maintain high uptime without requiring highly specialised manual setups.

Nippon Color also confirmed its expansion into the printing segment through key strategic partnerships. These include a collaboration with Epson for their UV inkjet label press and a water-based inkjet solution tailored for the book printing and publishing sector. These additions align with the company’s green initiative, as digital inkjet allows printers to bypass the production of plates and the use of blankets, significantly reducing chemical and paper waste.

Reflecting on the trends for 2026, Pardiwala noted that while the shift to digital has been a long-term evolution, it is currently experiencing exponential growth. The combination of sustainability mandates and the practical necessity of automation is driving even veteran companies to reinvent their floor workflows. 

As the industry looks toward the upcoming fiscal year, the focus remains on reducing wastage, eliminating manual make-ready times, and providing the flexibility to handle diverse client applications with a single machine.

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