Nutech Packagings adds ThermoStar to its pre-press

Aman Shroff of Nutech Packagings said, “We already had CTP capabilities in-house, but as our volumes increased, we needed higher capacity to keep up with demand. The upgrade to the ThermoStar T9 was to ensure that pre-press keeps pace with the rest of our operations.”

Shroff said as the company’s presence in the mono carton and FMCG packaging segments continues to expand, the demand for faster turnaround and consistent quality has increased. This investment directly supports its growth by enhancing its capacity, enabling it to handle higher volumes efficiently, while meeting the requirements of our clients.

As a second-generation leader, Shroff is focused on exploring new verticals within the packaging industry while maximising the potential of the company’s existing infrastructure. “At the same time, I am actively evaluating and implementing cost-cutting systems that improve efficiency, scalability, and adaptability to changing market demands.”

In this, Shroff said the most noticeable improvement with the new investment has been in speed and consistency. Plate output is significantly faster, and the quality is extremely consistent. He added that having an in-house CTP has made the workflow much smoother. “With higher capacity in pre-press, we can plan jobs more efficiently and avoid delays. There’s better synchronisation between pre-press and press, which improves overall productivity,” he said, adding, “We already operate with an ESKO workflow, which gives us a strong foundation in terms of automation and file management.”

Talking about ROI on the investment, Shroff said, “While there are operational efficiencies and cost benefits, the real value comes from faster delivery, consistent quality, and the ability to take on more work. That directly contributes to stronger customer relationships and business growth.”

For Shroff, consistency and speed are the key differentiators. “This upgrade reinforces our ability to deliver both, strengthening our positioning along with other investments we have made across the plant to enhance our productivity,” he said, adding, “With shorter runs and tighter deadlines becoming the norm, the ability to quickly process files, make plates, and move jobs to the press without delays is essential to staying competitive and meeting customer expectations. Pre-press efficiency has become extremely critical in today’s packaging environment.

According to Shroff, brand owners today are demanding a combination of all three — high-quality consistency, faster turnaround times, and an increasing focus on sustainability. There is a growing expectation for zero-defect output, quicker market launches, and environmentally responsible production practices. There’s very little margin for error now, and expectations are only rising.

He added that as the industry evolves, adopting hybrid workflows and smart manufacturing practices will be essential. Automation and digital integration are key focus areas going forward. The aim is to build smarter, more efficient systems that can support long-term scalability. “We also see AI playing an increasingly important role in areas like workflow optimisation, predictive maintenance, and quality control,” he said.

In the next three to five years, Shroff predicts that pre-press will become far more integrated and automated. It will play a bigger role in ensuring accuracy, consistency, and speed, while also supporting more complex requirements from customers.

He concluded, “In-house CTP is increasingly becoming a necessity for serious packaging converters. With the growing demand for speed, quality, and flexibility, having control over pre-press operations is crucial. It allows converters to be more flexible, reduce dependencies, and maintain constant high standards of production, all of which are essential in today’s market.”