PrintWeekIndia - Latest Articles

Quiet beginnings to global clout: Story of Kamal Kishor Parekh

Vimal Parmar — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:51:00

Kamal Kishor Parekh, CEO of Kokuyo Riddhi Paper Products, is not your usual conventional printer. Starting as a management trainee, assisting in his father’s photography darkroom, and eventually building a paper products export business. Calm and grounded, Kamal reflects on how challenges shaped his decisions, and how perseverance and people-centric thinking have mattered more than short-term gains.

Kamal spent his formative years at the Scindia School in Gwalior. “Astachal, our evening prayer in the open-air amphitheatre at sunset, is still etched in my memory. We wore kurta-pyjama, it was a moment of calm and reflection,” he recalls. Boarding school instilled not only discipline but also a sense of independence that would later influence his leadership style.

Subsequently, Kamal pursued a degree in Chemistry at BITS Pilani and entered the corporate world as a management trainee at Grasim Industries in Nagda. He was inspired by his uncle, IH Parekh, then president of Grasim. “The way he built the town and commanded respect among peers and staff left a mark on me,” Kamal says. His first job laid the foundation for his understanding of operations and systems.

Fate had other plans

Kamal returned to Mumbai to assist his father, Kishor, widely regarded as the father of Indian photojournalism. “He was not just a photographer. He changed how newspapers deployed images,” Kamal says, visibly proud. His father’s work during the Bangladesh Liberation War is legendary. “He smuggled himself into the country, captured powerful images, and later published Bangladesh: A Brutal Birth. The images were raw and unforgettable.” Tragically, Kishor passed away in 1982.

Despite the creative legacy, Kamal never considered a photography career. “It felt too challenging. I never thought I could even come close to what he achieved,” he admits. Nonetheless, he supported the print business of his family. As new technologies emerged and competition increased, the family printing business struggled. “There was a period of uncertainty and realisation that I had to adapt fast.”

Turning point

In 2002, Kamal found an unexpected opportunity in notebook manufacturing. “A school placed a small order, and I took it up. I learned the entire process hands-on. From sourcing paper to printing and binding. That experience was the turning point,” he recalls. His initial setup, Riddhi Enterprises, was a modest shed in Palghar, around 80 km from Mumbai. Kamal’s approach was clear: scale slowly, build efficiently, and keep production in-house in order to ensure quality control.

Over the years, this humble initiative grew into a formidable enterprise. In 2013, the Japanese conglomerate Kokuyo Group offered to buy the company, and a deal was inked. Kamal remained as CEO of the rebranded Kokuyo Riddhi Paper Products. “The Japanese brought systems with discipline and scalability in mind, and they respected our on-ground experience,” he says. True to his belief, the company adopted the motto: People, passion, and performance (in that order). The collaboration combined structured processes with practical knowledge, building on local strengths while expanding with a global vision.

Since 2007, Kamal has been ably supported by his son Aman, who now serves as the deputy CEO, alongside Chhama Gupta, the current COO, who has been with the company since 1987 and has played a significant role in its growth.

Sustainability is the top priority

Kamal says, “We have invested in ETP (effluent treatment plant), STP (sewage treatment plant), and solar energy systems to minimise our environmental impact.” “I am a strong advocate of reducing plastic use, switching to solar energy, and encouraging composting in our daily lives.”

His commitment to community runs just as deep. From donating to hospitals to supporting villagers nearby, his actions reflect a quiet generosity. “Business must always have a human touch,” he says simply.

A passionate traveller, almost every year he and his team make trips to Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Kashmir. The most fascinating was a Mediterranean cruise covering four countries in seven days. More recently, Kamal was “overawed” by the arrangements at the Rann of Kutch. “The bonding, memories, and learnings were unforgettable.”

Humanity and technology interplay

“AI will transform how we design, plan, and execute,” he says.

And beneath the whirring of the machines on the factory floor, for Kamal, people remain his greatest asset. The company employs a team of 48 and hires 150 factory workers, with an almost equal gender ratio. “I take great care of my team and constantly motivate them,” he says.

Despite his schedule, Kamal finds balance at his farmhouse. “I enjoy organic farming and spending time with my four pugs, Dobby, Shadow, Buddy, and Sandy, and my three cows. Being with them relieves all stress,” he smiles. He is currently reading the Bhagavad Gita and building a pickleball court on his property.

Beneath the whirring of the machines on the factory floor, for Kamal, people remain his greatest asset

When asked what fuels him, Kamal replies, “Inspiration is everywhere. You need to observe. I enjoy turning ideas into reality, whether it is a product innovation or a community initiative.” Kamal shared that at a nearby location, he has a small unit dedicated to simple innovations that help improve production. One example is a low-cost notebook taping machine named Tape Guru, designed and manufactured by him, which has increased output and added finesse to the final product.

To young entrepreneurs considering the printing space, his advice is straightforward: “Do not run after money. Work hard and diligently. Be responsible, not answerable. Be honest to your own self, and success, fame, and money will follow.”

What next ...

Today, the company operates out of Sawarkhand village in Maharashtra. Recognised as a three-star Export House, the facility spans five acres with 1,00,000-sq/ft of shed area. It produces over 100 SKUs of paper products, which include exercise books, notepads, diaries, and speciality items.

Kokuyo Riddhi exports to over 50 countries, with international sales forming a significant part of its revenue. “We have maintained a 10–15% annual growth rate. Our strength lies in producing a range of SKUs in-house, right from design to packaging,” Kamal explains. He chuckles, “Although this is our prime business, there are so many activities we are involved with, I like telling people that we also make notebooks.”

As our conversation draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: Kamal Kishor Parekh is not driven by ambition alone, but by a quiet, values-led approach to life and business. His journey is not marked by dramatic disruption, but by thoughtful evolution. In a world increasingly obsessed with speed and scale, his story stands as a gentle reminder that resilience, relationships, and quiet conviction can build something truly enduring.

The factory that makes notebooks

The Sawarkhand plant, based in Maharashtra, processes nearly 1,600-metric tonnes of paper and board each month. “We use TechNova plates, Cron CTCP systems, and two-colour, four-colour, and five-colour Heidelberg presses. But it is our extensive in-house post-press and finishing that truly differentiates us,” he shares. Integration, he believes, is strategic. “Quality and speed come from control. Outsourcing too much compromises both.”

In 2016, Kamal established his own notebook manufacturing unit in Sri Lanka. “It is a five-acre plant with 60,000-sq/ft of shed area. We now dispatch over 130 containers a year from there,” he says. The facility is entirely export-focused and run by a lean, skilled team – all Sri Lankans.

Kokuyo Riddhi exports to over 50 countries, with international sales forming a significant part of its revenue

Relationships are central to Kamal’s business philosophy. “One of our most trusted buyers has been with us since 2005. What began as a small account is now one of our largest,” he says. Another customer mentored the Sri Lankan expansion. “They encouraged us to think globally and systematise our processes.” He also recalls an American client whose innovative requests pushed the team’s creative limits. “We had to experiment with layouts, bindings, and packaging, which was creatively fulfilling and helped us evolve.”

Asked about exports, Kamal shared that “Many international buyers negotiate aggressively, delay in approval of designs, and at times delay in payments. This is a challenging market. Be prepared for volatility.”

Kamal is very optimistic about India’s prospects. “The global market is taking India more seriously now. But we need to improve our speed and scale. Local vendors and machine manufacturers must rise to this challenge by building high-speed, durable machines.”

India’s label industry is set for ongoing growth in 2024: Samir Patel

Rahul Kumar — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:50:00

What were the new services and technological innovations introduced by your R&D department in the last two years?

In the last two years, Arrow Digital’s R&D team has been relentless in pushing the boundaries of innovation, resulting in the launch of cutting-edge products like the ArrowJet UV, ArrowJet Hybrid Pro+ M, ArrowJet Bolt, and ArrowJet VDP. Each of these technologies is designed to address the growing needs of the label and packaging industries. The ArrowJet UV offers advanced CMYK + White ink capabilities, enabling vibrant and detailed printing on transparent and dark substrates, perfect for industries like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The ArrowJet Hybrid Pro+ M combines high-speed digital printing with four inline flexo stations, allowing for special effects such as white, varnishes and cold foiling — all in a single pass. The ArrowJet Bolt focuses on high-speed production with water-based pigment inks, reaching speeds up to 150-m/min, resulting in unmatched quality output. Lastly, the ArrowJet VDP is built for industries that require security and traceability features, supporting advanced variable data printing for barcodes, QR codes, and serial numbers. Together, these innovations mark a new chapter in high-performance, efficient, and versatile printing technology.

The label market in India has grown in recent years because of the increasing demand for labels across various products. The label printing industry in India is valued at USD 2.3-billion and is expected to increase to USD 3.6-billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. The per capita consumption of labels in India has grown from 0.25- sqm in 2008 to around one-sqm in 2023. What is your prediction for the label industry in 2024 and beyond?

India’s label industry is set for ongoing growth in 2024, driven by rising demand for product differentiation, traceability, and regulatory compliance. Expanding sectors like eCommerce, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals are fueling demand for high-quality, customisable labels produced efficiently and sustainably. With increased adoption of digital and hybrid presses, production will become faster and more versatile, supporting both short-run and high-volume needs while emphasising sustainability.

The sectors driving growth in labels are food and beverages (55%), cosmetics and personal care (17%), home care (15%), eCommerce (10%), and chemicals (3%). What are the key factors contributing to the significant growth of labels in the food and beverages sector? How is the label printing industry in India gearing up to meet this growing demand?

The food and beverage sector is driving label growth as consumers demand transparency with detailed product information and traceability. Brands are also investing in vibrant, customised labels to stand out on shelves, while eCommerce has created a need for durable labels that endure handling. To meet demand, India’s label industry is adopting digital printing for quick, on-demand responses and prioritising eco-friendly inks and sustainable materials for environmentally conscious packaging.

Label production comprises pressure-sensitive labels (70%), shrink and stretch sleeve labels (12%), wet glue labels (10%), and in-mould labels (8%) and is manufactured by around 700 label printers that run one or more six-to-eight station flexo presses. There are about 1,800 flexo presses, 40 of which were installed in 2023. Similarly, there are 77 digital presses, 37 of which were installed in 2023, and one hybrid press (Gallus Labelfire) installed in 2023. What are the key factors driving the increasing installation of digital and hybrid presses in label production, and how do they compare to the traditional flexo presses in terms of efficiency and quality?

The increasing installation of digital presses has been driven by several important factors. First and foremost, the demand for customisation and variable data printing, particularly for short-run jobs, has made digital presses a more attractive option for label converters. Unlike traditional flexo presses, which are better suited for long runs of standardized labels, digital presses allow to produce highly personalised labels with variable data, such as barcodes, QR codes, and serial numbers.

According to WhatPackaging? magazine, the flexible packaging market in India was valued at USD 8.4-billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 12.3 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.0%. Gravure continues to dominate. However, in the last five years, we have seen a linear growth of CI flexo machines. This has translated into approximately 15 CI flexo presses being installed every year. Experts opine that the key to investment is CI flexo's sustainability quotient compared to other processes. With flexible packaging runs becoming shorter, do you see technologies such as CI flexo and digital gaining popularity in the Indian market?

Absolutely. As the demand for shorter flexible packaging runs grows, both CI flexo and digital technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the Indian market. CI flexo is gaining traction due to its sustainability benefits, including reduced waste and the ability to use eco-friendly inks. Its precision and consistency also make it a strong choice for brands seeking high-quality, sustainable packaging options.

At the same time, digital printing technologies like the ArrowJet UV and ArrowJet Bolt are being recognised for their ability to handle short-run jobs with high efficiency and minimal setup times. Digital presses offer the added advantage of variable data capabilities and the flexibility to print on a wide range of substrates, making them ideal for brands looking to create personalised, eye-catching packaging. The combination of these factors makes digital printing an attractive option for converters aiming to meet the evolving demands of the flexible packaging market, and we expect both technologies to continue gaining ground in the coming years.

However, gravure printers attempting to use flexo presses have stated that it is challenging to replicate the quality of gravure samples on flexo. Furthermore, when they are successful in doing so, brands expect their other converter suppliers to achieve the same level of quality using flexo, which may not always be feasible. Given this situation, how can printers expand their capabilities with flexo and other emerging technologies?

While flexo printing has advanced, matching gravure's fine quality remains challenging. A hybrid approach, like the ArrowJet Hybrid Pro+ M, combines flexo’s precision with digital’s flexibility, offering converters high-quality, versatile solutions. Investing in advanced flexo presses, high-res plates, and colour management software helps close the quality gap, while automation enhances precision and reduces variability. Collaboration with substrate and ink manufacturers further ensures consistent print quality. By adopting digital, automation, and hybrid presses, printers can blend flexo’s efficiency with gravure-level quality to meet brand demands.

Today, the mono-carton packaging segment is valued at USD 2.4-billion and is expected to reach USD 4.1-billion by 2025, a CAGR of 9.7%. The market is highly fragmented, with a large number of players across the country. The industry comprises around 3,300 units, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounting for a significant share of the market. While the offset process is deployed for producing mono-cartons, an industry roundtable discussion revealed that narrow-web flexo was also used. Among the users were reputed players such as Pragati Pack, ITek, Zircon Technologies, and Any Graphics. Do you expect this trend to gain speed?

The use of narrow-web flexo in mono-carton production is set to grow, driven by a 9.7% CAGR in the segment due to rising demand from FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and eCommerce. Narrow-web flexo presses offer faster setup, less waste, and better customisation for short runs, making them ideal for brands seeking differentiation and quick turnarounds. Enhanced ink systems, higher resolutions, and hybrid flexo-digital solutions now deliver offset-quality results, positioning narrow-web flexo as an efficient, versatile option for mono-carton packaging in a competitive market.

Has the pace of new capacity addition been different pre- and post-Covid?

New capacity additions in printing and packaging have shifted pre- and post-Covid. Before the pandemic, capacity expanded steadily for sectors like food, beverages, and eCommerce. Covid-19 disrupted supply chains and paused investments. Post- Covid capacity growth resumed with a strategic focus on flexible, on-demand solutions. Digital and hybrid presses like ArrowJet UV and ArrowJet Hybrid Pro+ M gained traction as companies prioritised efficiency, flexibility, and automation over sheer volume. Today, capacity additions emphasise technological upgrades to meet fast-changing market demands.

How are the companies that are primarily into export/import dealing with continuous disruptions caused due to war in several regions? The disruptions have often led to rapid price fluctuation and delays in the transport of goods. Your comments?

Export and import companies are adapting to regional conflicts by diversifying supply chains, sourcing from multiple regions, and relocating some production closer to core markets. They are leveraging technology for improved forecasting, collaborating with logistics partners to optimise shipping, and using flexible contracts to manage price volatility. Risk strategies, such as buffer inventories and insurance, support resilience, with adaptability and proactive planning helping businesses navigate these disruptions.

When innovative solutions are being implemented, converters require capital investments. Some converters are willing to make this investment only if there is an end-user on the other side prepared to commit to assisting them in justifying the investment. It's a three-party scenario: we possess the technology, we require the brand to generate interest, and then the converters will respond. What strategies can be employed to ensure that both the technology and the brand are effectively aligned to attract and engage converters in the three-party scenario?

In a three-party setup, alignment among technology providers, brands, and converters is essential for successful capital investment in new solutions. Collaborative partnerships, such as showcasing ROI through case studies and demos, build trust with converters. Co-investment models and joint marketing efforts can reduce converters' financial risk, while flexible financing and incentives further ease adoption. Training and support ensure converters feel confident with the technology. By aligning each party’s interests, investment becomes mutually beneficial, making converters more competitive and delivering enhanced products to end-users.

You have interactions with customers from different parts of the world. What are the top challenges the Indian label industry faces?

Despite its rapid growth, the Indian label industry faces significant challenges. Cost pressure is a major concern, as rising demand for high-quality labels pushes converters to offer competitive pricing, straining margins amid increasing raw material costs and global supply chain disruptions. Additionally, technology adoption poses hurdles; many converters are reluctant to invest in digital and hybrid printing due to high upfront costs and uncertain ROI, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sustainability is another critical issue, with brands and regulators demanding eco-friendly materials, complicating the balance between compliance and cost-effective production. Finally, skilled labour shortages and the need for automation create operational challenges, as finding qualified workers for new systems is difficult and transitioning to automation requires substantial investment.

Sustainability involves decisions made in daily life and business. The actions we take, or choose not to take, today, will significantly affect our environment in the future. How do you think businesses can incorporate sustainability into their operations?

Businesses can take meaningful steps toward sustainability by using water-based inks, which are better for the environment, and investing in low-power technologies to cut down on energy use. Switching to paper-based materials for packaging is another simple but impactful change, as they’re easier to recycle and much more eco-friendly. Pairing this with waste reduction efforts and using recyclable substrates helps keep production more efficient and greener. Ensuring the supply chain follows these sustainable practices creates a consistent, environmentally conscious approach from start to finish. Not only do these steps benefit the planet, but they also boost a brand’s reputation, appealing to eco-conscious customers and keeping the business competitive while engaging employees in a positive cause.

How do papers/films and embellishments influence the perception of a product? What elements of a label can visually express and summarise its essence?

Papers, films, and embellishments significantly shape consumer perceptions of products. The choice of materials—like premium textured paper or glossy films—immediately conveys quality and character; for example, textured paper suggests luxury, while high-gloss film offers a modern look. Embellishments such as foiling and embossing add depth and tactile appeal, enhancing the product's perceived value. The ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ excels by integrating inline flexo stations to apply effects like varnish, foiling, and white ink in a single pass, boosting efficiency while elevating label design. Visual elements such as colour, typography, and imagery also play crucial roles; bright colours convey energy, muted tones suggest sophistication and the right typography reflects brand personality. Together with the Hybrid Pro M+'s capabilities, these design tools help encapsulate brand identity and make products stand out on shelves.

In the food industry, designers and printers encounter a new obstacle related to the limited space available for labels. Global health and safety regulations will necessitate additional space on labels. What strategies are designers and printers in the food sector considering addressing the challenge of limited space on labels while meeting international health and safety legislation requirements?

In the food industry, limited label space poses challenges as health and safety regulations demand more information. Designers and printers address this by using multi-layer or peel-back labels for essential details, minimalistic layouts, and QR codes for online information. Innovative solutions like the ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ enable high-resolution printing with inline effects, allowing brands to highlight key details creatively. The ArrowJet VDP enhances security by integrating variable data, barcodes, and anti-counterfeit measures into labels. Meanwhile, the ArrowJet UV ensures vibrant, high-quality prints that comply with regulations while maintaining an attractive design. These technologies help meet international standards without compromising on aesthetics.

Label converters have increasingly sought automation for different stages of the product life cycle in recent years. With a shortage of labour in the industrial sector, human involvement has become a bottleneck in the production process. Automation and connectivity have shifted from being a cost-saving measure to a crucial requirement for industrial survival. What specific types of automation have label converters been implementing to address the challenges in the production chain?

Label converters are increasingly adopting automation to tackle labour shortages and enhance production efficiency. The ArrowJet line, including the Hybrid Pro M+, VDP, and UV models, spearheads this trend with features that streamline processes and reduce manual effort. The Hybrid Pro M+ combines high-speed digital printing with inline finishing—such as white ink, varnishes, foiling, and roll lifting—all in a single pass, speeding up production and minimising labour. The VDP offers flexibility as either a standalone or integration-ready solution, allowing for variable data and security features without disrupting workflows. With sensors and a web guide system across the ArrowJet line, these automated tools are crucial for converters looking to remain competitive.

How are you addressing the need for faster production speeds in digital label printing?

At Arrow Digital, we meet the demand for faster production speeds with the ArrowJet Bolt, which prints at 150-m/min, perfect for high-volume production without compromising quality. This machine is tailored for converters, aiming to achieve quicker turnarounds in a competitive market. Additionally, the ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ combines high-speed digital printing with inline flexo stations for premium applications like white ink, gloss and matte varnishes, and foiling—all in one pass. This integration accelerates production, reduces labor costs, and maintains high-quality output, offering converters exceptional flexibility and efficiency to meet diverse customer needs.

What innovations are you introducing to expand the range of substrates compatible with digital printing?

We are expanding substrate compatibility across our new products, including the ArrowJet UV, Hybrid Pro M+, VDP, and Bolt. The ArrowJet UV excels at printing on challenging materials like transparent films and dark substrates using advanced CMYK + White ink technology for vibrant prints. The Hybrid Pro M+ features a built-in priming station, allowing printing on non-porous surfaces like plastics, broadening its application range. The VDP offers exceptional versatility for variable data printing on various substrates, ideal for personalised and security printing. Together with the high-speed performance of the Bolt, these innovations ensure our digital printing solutions can handle a wide array of materials, helping converters deliver premium, customised label and packaging solutions.

How are you helping printers seamlessly integrate digital and conventional printing workflows?

We simplify the integration of digital and conventional printing workflows. The ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ combines high-speed digital printing with optional inline flexo stations for white ink, varnishes, and foiling — all in one pass, allowing seamless transitions without multiple setups. The ArrowJet VDP offers flexibility as a standalone system or as part of your existing setup, making it easy to add variable data or security features. Both the ArrowJet UV and ArrowJet Bolt can be customised to your needs, with the option to include inline flexo stations for hybrid printing. This approach streamlines production while delivering high-quality, customized label and packaging solutions.

Let me ask you about volume growth and competition challenge given that there are lots of Chinese and Western players now offering digital solutions, but still limited mostly to specialised short runs or VDP. When will digital finally be mass market, especially in packaging?

Digital printing is gaining momentum, primarily in specialized short runs and variable data printing (VDP). However, rapid advancements in speed, substrate compatibility, and cost-efficiency are bringing digital closer to mass-market viability, particularly in packaging. At Arrow Digital, our ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ and ArrowJet Bolt are engineered for high-volume production at impressive speeds, while retaining the flexibility that digital printing provides.

As converters increasingly adopt these high-speed, high-resolution systems with inline finishing capabilities, digital printing will better meet the demands of larger-scale packaging production. We’re also observing a rising interest from brands for on-demand, personalized packaging, further fueling this trend. While we haven’t reached mass-market application yet, ongoing innovations in cost, speed, and versatility suggest that digital printing will become a mainstream packaging solution in the coming years. The ability to offer customization, reduce waste, and ensure quicker turnaround times is making digital printing increasingly appealing across various industries.

How do your digital printing machines compare to flexo machines in terms of cost-efficiency for short-run jobs?

Our digital printing machines offer significant cost advantages over flexo for short-run jobs. Unlike flexo, digital printing eliminates the need for plates and lengthy setup times, allowing for immediate printing and making it more cost-effective for short runs and on-demand projects.

Machines like the ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ and ArrowJet Bolt are specifically designed for precision and speed in short-run jobs, enabling quick turnarounds without the extra costs associated with plates or material waste. Additionally, digital printing allows for easy customization, such as variable data printing, without requiring additional setup—something not feasible with flexo. Overall, digital printing enhances flexibility and efficiency for smaller volumes or personalized labels, making it the more economical choice for short runs.

What materials can your digital printers handle?

Our digital printers are designed for versatility, capable of handling a wide range of materials. The ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ and ArrowJet Bolt print on substrates like paper, synthetic materials, transparent films, foils, and label stock, making them suitable for industries such as food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

The ArrowJet UV enhances this capability by printing on challenging materials, including dark or transparent substrates, using CMYK + White ink technology for vibrant, high-quality results. Additionally, printers with priming stations, like the Hybrid Pro M+, ensure excellent adhesion on non-porous surfaces such as plastics and flexible packaging. This flexibility allows converters to meet diverse customer demands across both standard and specialty substrates.

How do your digital printers ensure colour consistency across different print batches? Can it withstand tests that flexo colours can withstand?

Our digital printers are designed for exceptional colour consistency across print batches, ensuring high-quality results every time. Models like the ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M+ and ArrowJet UV leverage advanced colour management systems and automated calibration to reproduce vibrant colours accurately. Inline sensors monitor and adjust colour output in real-time, maintaining consistency even in complex or lengthy print runs.

We also utilise software solutions like Fiery Impress and Xitron to optimize efficiency and quality. Our high-quality water-based and UV inks provide durability and vibrancy that often exceed traditional flexo printing. Whether maintaining precise brand colours or managing intricate gradients, our digital solutions ensure stable and reliable colour output. Additionally, our printers withstand rigorous testing, demonstrating resistance to fading, scratching, and environmental factors.

Media Expo Delhi 2024: Insight highlights HP Latex

PrintWeek Team — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:31:00

The event allowed the company to meet up with existing customers and welcome new customers who were taking steps into their latex printing journey.

The company had on display an extensive HP Latex application gallery and simultaneously unveiled its new cutting-edge machines — the HP Latex 630W and HP Latex 700W.

At the booth, Insight also showcased applications from the HP Latex R Series flatbed machine, capable of printing on various flat surfaces, including ACP, wood, acrylic, and thermoformable substrates and flexible media like canvas wallpaper, vinyl, etc. Alongside this, they highlighted versatile applications across the signage and décor industries, with a particular emphasis on décor— a growing market where HP Latex technology is the first choice due to its odourless prints and environmental credentials.

Ashish Save, director of Insight Print Communications, said, “Every year, Media Expo allows us to showcase the best solutions in the market. Meeting industry peers and discovering new technology is always inspiring. With the rising demand for sustainability, it's exciting to see HP leading the way, and we're proud to partner with them in delivering environmentally conscious print solutions.”

How Omega Printopack transforms itself with Komori

Rahul Kumar — Mon, 06 May 2024 11:47:00

It all started when the first Komori press was installed at one of the four production units of Haridwar-based Omega Printopack in 2014. It marked a big turning point and a milestone transformation in the company’s overall packaging conversion.

The Komori Lithrone S32, the first four-colour press at Omega Printopack, was a game changer for the company. “Certainly, the Komori has changed the entire quality and capacity of our packaging printing and converting. We were looking for an unconventional offset press. We shortlisted Komori and two other leading brands. Eventually, we went for brand Komori because we have the prior knowledge of Komori presses’ quality and cost-effectiveness,” Sandeep Kumar Jain, director, Omega Printopack, says.

As the first Komori press set a new paradigm shift in packaging converting for Omega Printopack, the company’s reliance on the brand continued.

“Since we were satisfied with our first Komori press, we wanted to add a second machine, a bigger, upgraded, and five-colour press. So, we went for the five-colour Komori Lithrone G40 with coater in 2020,” Jain says.

He adds, “Our yearning for Komori sustained as within two years of our second Komori, we decided to add another machine of the same model with coater for taking care of the increasing volume and swift demand perceiving in our packaging conversion.”

The latest and third Komori press at Omega Printopack, a five-colour Lithrone G40 with coater, was installed in the latter part of 2023.

Working with Komori

On choosing Komori, Jain says, “The three Komori presses now running in our production units tick all the boxes of packaging for us. The machines are amazing; so it the team Komori India, whose help and support make everything smooth and easy. Whenever needed, the team is always alert to attend to us within 24 hours. This is the most essential aspect of any company wherefrom we purchase machines and equipment.”

Making constant upgrades of its pre-press, press, and post-press divisions across its four production units of 100,000-sqft, Omega Printopack strategically invests in best-in-class machines and equipment to improve quality and production standards. The company’s fourth production unit of around 7,000-sqft is currently under construction.

“With advanced machines like Komori presses and dedicated works in all our units, we never let our customers down when it comes to providing them quality prints, end-products, and on-time deliveries as per their demand and desire,” Jain affirms.

Since its inception as Omega Group in 2003 and incorporation as Omega Printopack in 2006, the company has been at the forefront of producing mono cartons, corrugated cartons, labels, and other packaging solutions for eminent clients from diverse sectors. “We work for clients from almost all sectors. However, some of our key clients are from two specific sectors: pharmaceutical and electronics. Geographically, we work for our clients based particularly in three states — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh,” Jain says.

He adds, “Today, we print and convert almost 90% of our packaging applications on the Komori presses. For example, our earlier volume of conversion of pharmaceutical package inserts was around 10-19 lakhs per month. Now, the figure has jumped to 40 lakhs, which means 1.5 lakhs per day, as per our records by December 2023. When it comes to print quality, Komori Lithrone G40 with coater delivers any application in resolution up to 450-gsm.”

(l-r) Akshat and Sandeep Jain with their first Komori press, installed in 2014

A dedicated team of 600 people, including well-trained and experienced printing and packaging professionals, is one of the vital forces behind Omega Printopack’s competency. In the company’s top management, Jain has been joined by his son Akshat.

“It’s my privilege to be part of the fabulous team of Omega Printopack that has been taking care of the needs of premium packaging solutions for reputed brands that comprise a handful of leading pharmaceutical houses,” Akshat Jain, managing director, Omega Printopack, says.

He adds, “What we are planning is to make all our pharmaceutical packaging under a roof. As on today, pharmaceutical sector occupies 65% of our overall business, next comes up 35% of electronics, and the rest is distributed among other sectors. The continuous and unconditional supports we constantly get from our valued clients make us what we are today.”

Cadila, Akum Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Coral Laboratories, and Phillips, are some of the major clients which Omega Printopack has been closely associated for years.

The growth story

The senior Jain says, “We started from a zero level. It had been beyond my imagination that we would someday achieve the level we are at today. It had been our entire team’s hard work and dedication, which grew into a business that moves ahead of our market competitors in terms of quality and standards we maintain and offer using the versatile and advanced machines in our facilities.”

He adds, “Using the two five-colour Komori Lithrone G40 presses with coaters, we are graduating in style as we now fully fulfil what our clients want in their products.”

He adds that the advanced Komori offset presses offer a maximum printing speed of 16,500-sph , delivering stable high-speed operation on a broad range of ultrathin to thick sheets. The presses accommodate maximum sheet sizes up to 750x1050-mm.

Jain is quick to add how much he appreciates the changes in packaging printing and conversion that the Komori presses bring to Omega Printopack.

Up next, the company plans to add another Komori machine, which will be a six-colour press with coater, probably by the next financial year.

Fact file
Year of establishment: 2003

Year of incorporation: 2006

Location: Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Expertise: Packaging printing and conversion

Machine portfolio: Three Komori presses and others

Production setup: 100,000-sqft

Staff strength: 600 people

Turnover: Rs 65-crore

Michele Riva joins ColorJet as sales director

Rahul Kumar — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 07:38:00

He will report to Arun Varshney, vice-president and global business head.

Riva brings extensive experience in textile printing processes, including digital printing and expertise in different types of fabrics and textile machines, which makes him a valuable asset in the industry.

Prior to joining ColorJet, Riva served as the global sales director at BOBST, EFI, and Reggiani, leading the sales team and providing tailored solutions to customers. Michele has also held sales roles at various other companies in the textile industries.

Varshney said: “We are looking forward to leveraging his expertise and experience to drive growth and success in the global market. With its strategic vision and leadership, ColorJet Textile aims to continue and position itself as a key player in the textile industry on a global scale.”

Riva added, “I am thrilled to join ColorJet Group during this significant moment. With their unwavering commitment to customer service and cutting-edge products, ColorJet is poised for growth in the textile industry. I eagerly look forward to working with the team and expanding our presence across the globe.”

Pamex 2023: Konica Minolta provides better ROI with its machines

Noel D'Cunha — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:27:00

Noel D’Cunha (ND): How important is Pamex for you?

Katsuhisa Asari (KA): Since we established this company in 2010, we have never missed out on the Pamex exhibition. And Mumbai is one of the places where people are curious to know more about printing technologies. This is after Covid. I think the market has just opened up, and many short-run digitals are booming. We have a wide range of products at Pamex that might interest people.

ND: You are enhancing the speed of AccurioLabel 400. Is speed a criterion for label production?

KA: Speed is one aspect which can increase productivity; by achieving a much faster way of label printing. It is beneficial for somebody who is already doing the labelling, but also for someone who is in offset and looking for a short run, in a passive speed with a fixed colour.

So, the basic idea when we talk about the short-run on AccurioLabel 230 is, we can do 800 to 1,000 linear metre jobs. But in the case of AccurioLabel 400, we increased that speed from 1,500 to 2,000. Label converters get the job. They measure it in terms of linear metres.

ND: How does Konica Minolta position itself in the speed parameter as all the label printers in India looking for high speed?

KA: There are certain categories where people also look at the way the investment versus the return that they can see in terms of the ROI. Our machines are not that expensive, but there are many applications of our machines using electrophotography.

ND: How is Konica Minolta looking to expand its machines’ applications?

KA: Minolta has the technology to print on different substrates. So, we have our own ink technology and user kits. Depending on the situation, we weigh in terms of probably how we can expand in making equipment. We already have the technology. So, it is slowly progressing into various segments leveraging what we are doing well. We try to upgrade some features in the existing model instead of making a new one. Over a period of time, yes, you may see more technologies coming from Konica Minolta.

ND: Where do you see the printing industry's future in terms of technology and application? Which segment do you think is the growing segment? And how is Konica Minolta placed there?

KA: I think all the segments I believe will grow. Today, when we actually look at our lineup of products at the show, we have the labels and all the products related to digital printing. Companies are also continuously investing to make better technology products. In the next 10 years, the printing industry will also grow in India. We really need to look at what kind of applications and what kind of printing technology we can provide in this growing market ahead of others. Our company already has R&D, so we are developing new innovative products.

ND: How is the flexible industry in Japan?

KA: The people in Japan focus on a different segment, such as electrophotography. Flexible is also one market which is growing rapidly, and post-Covid has gained more traction. Companies like Konica Minolta already have technologies which can convert into a flexible substrate.

ND: What is happening with KM-1?

KA: Good news is expected this year. Because there are a lot of opportunities, we are putting the KM-1 back in focus.

ND: How was the post-Covid period for you, 2022?

KA: Everybody probably was stuck in 2020 and 2021. So suddenly, people's investments started in 2022. Even in terms of the market size, it is like 50% growth. That was some kind of special demand. Post-Covid, once the economy opened up, people saw that they could invest, and there was a sudden demand. So, 2022 was probably be the biggest market size ever.

ND: Three months into 2023, how is the business looking up and how many machines has Konica Minolta sold?

KA: In 2023, if I look at the opportunity part, I think the conversion to digital is going to accelerate, and the print demand is going to increase. From that, there are many opportunities not only for the existing customers to upgrade the machine but also there will be a lot of other new customers who may also invest.

ND: What are the plans for AccurioLabel 400? What is it that you are bringing into the market?
KA: Accurate label printing is important. Besides being more productive, we have added more technologies to it. Besides printing, the capability to add white. Because white was one of the key requirements which came from the label converters, we have added technology to make the colour management strong. It also has an inline spectrophotometer. It also has an optional corona treatment to manage difficult substrates.

Colorjet recognised as top performer in textile engineering industry

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:04:00

Rohit Kansal, additional secretary, ministry of textiles, GOI, Prajakta Verma, joint secretary, ministry of textiles, GOI, P Sathasivam, retired chief justice of India and S Hari Shankar, chairman, India ITME Society, handed over the award to MS Dadu, chairman of Colorjet Group.

Dadu said, “We are delighted to receive the award in recognition of the valuable contributions that the Colorjet Group India has made in the textile engineering industry. With this award, Colorjet reinforces its technological innovation strength of Colorjet’s R&D department.”

India ITME Society initiated the applications in July 2022, searching for the nation’s hidden gems. Evaluated by a stellar jury that includes the prestigious names of Uday Gill, Updeep Singh, R Anand, Gurudas V Aras, Sanjiv Lathia, Manisha Mathur, Manohar Samuel, Ketan Sanghvi, and Avinash Mayekar.

EFI Reggiani leads innovation in green at India ITME 2022

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:02:00

The EFI Reggiani Terra Silver printer displayed during the show is an ideal solution to enter the industrial printing segment with a short, smart and green process. The EFI Reggiani Terra Solution eliminates the need for steaming or washing on direct-to-textile applications, using a greener, more efficient polymerisation process that takes place as the printed textile goes through the printer’s on-board dryer. As a result, users can achieve superior printing results while using less time, water, and energy.

The EFI Reggiani Hyper printer, a scanning printer available in 1.8-, 2.4- or 3.4-m widths that prints at up to 20 linear metres per minute peak speed, making it the fastest textile scanning printer on the market.

Also at the show was Inèdit, recently acquired by EFI Reggiani, which is one of the leading developers of raster image processors (RIPs) and related software for digital industrial textile printing.

“We are enthusiastic about the great dynamism of the Indian market and the continued digital transformation this market is experiencing,” said Karthik Ravindranath, regional sales manager, EFI Reggiani. “The leading-edge innovations we brought to India ITME create valuable opportunities for our customers to continue to grow by establishing higher-volume, higher-quality digital production services in ways that reduce the textile industry’s high carbon footprint.”

Future Generali’s OOH campaign advocates LGBTQIA+ rights

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 20:58:00

Staying true to its ‘inclusion’ agenda and intent of being an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, the insurer has expanded its definition of ‘family’ across all its retail health insurance offerings, to include LGBTQIA+ community and live-in partners.

The first-of-its-kind brand campaign, represented by two real life, same sex couples, demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, both as an employer and as an insurer. The campaign runs across the central theme of redefining the term ‘family’ to include live-in partners, including same sex partners.

The campaign is launched on digital and on OOH platforms in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Goa and Bangalore and will be live for three weeks starting 1 January 2023.

Ruchika Malhan Varma, chief marketing officer, Future Generali India Insurance, said, “We are conscious of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe the LGBTQIA+ community is of prominence and the individuals from the community deserve the right to avail similar protection solutions like any other individual. As insurers, we believe that we have a moral and societal responsibility to provide a level playing field to all sections of the society devoid of their personal preferences.”

She added “We are committed towards providing need based and innovative solutions that resonate with our customers’ evolving needs. This offering is a step in the direction of making the first move by the insurance industry towards focusing on inclusive protection plans for LGBTQIA+ individuals. At FGII, driving inclusion across various sections of the society and the communities we operate in is central to our life-time partner’ behaviour.”

Inspackt buys JWEI digital cutting table

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 19:27:00

Yogesh Mehra of Inspackt Packaging said, “During our visit to the PackPlus trade show, we came to know that TechNova is selling JWEI devices. We wanted a reliable partner, and we needed this device. Thus, we purchased the JWEI because TechNova was selling it, and thus we were assured of the services.”

Rahul Dev of Inspackt Packaging added, “The digital cutting table has a multifunctional machine head for cutting, half-cutting, creasing and V-cuts for various packaging and display applications. It has excellent repeatability hence higher preciseness in cutting. The machine comes with a fully automatic process with conveyor system, loading and stacking devices.”

The device can be used for corrugated cartons, rigid boxes, mono cartons, premium stationeries, digital labels, catalogues, warranty cards, garment tags, gift boxes, bakery boxes, sweet boxes, wall stickers, industrial packaging, paper toy furniture and so on.

Established in 2019, Inspackt Packaging started with basic corrugated boxes and entered rigid box-making and digital printing. Today, the company’s 20,000-sqft shopfloor comprises 60 machines including a Ricoh 11-colour machine and the new JWEI CB03. A total of 80 people work in two shifts.

The company caters to corporates and general retail outlets in Delhi-NCR, Kashmir, Rajasthan, and UP.

The CB03 digital cutting table was launched in India in 2017 and first time, it was showcased in Media Expo 22 Mumbai.

The machine has a head with multiple tools like drag knife, oscillating tool, V-cut tool, kiss-cutting tool and creasing tool, foam cutting tool, router tool and rotary tool for various applications and media requirements.

Mehra and Dev said packaging-on-demand has helped the company grow in the last three years and are looking forward to new technologies and markets. “We are also expanding our work into industrial packaging and furniture packaging. Going beyond conventional packaging applications and exploring niche areas to discover digital packaging possibilities.

They concluded, “We are satisfied with the device and the overall services. The machine is running smoothly and performing all its operations as promised.”

Mumbai’s Sandaw Prints gets Duplo digital spot UV coater

Rahul Kumar — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 14:35:00

Hitesh Fariya of Sandaw Prints said that while studying the different devices in the market, the company observed that the DDC810 gives the best print quality in small texts or fine intricate designs. “Good print quality at economic pricing was a winning choice. We also observed during the demo that job-switchover time was less than a minute,” he said.

He added, “It has been just a week since we installed the DDC-810. So far, we have not experienced any issues. All is going well. The after-sales and service support from TechNova has also been commendable.”

Fariya said the USPs of the Duplo DDC-810 include highest resolution printhead of 600x600-dpi; Duplo’s proven air management system of feeding; patented twin camera registration technology that delivers first sheet saleable; simplicity of software which allows job switchover within a minute; ultra-compact footprint of the device and highest gloss GUV varnish.

Sandaw Prints caters to segments, such as corporates, wedding cards, perfumes, local food brands, sweet boxes, cake boxes, besides all commercial jobs in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.

The company manufactures carton boxes, product packaging, box wraps, NTR and paper labels and stickers, transparent stickers with white back, gold and silver foil tags, business cards, invitations, printed butter sheets, wrapping sheets, paper bags and so on.

Spread across 2,000-sqft area, Sandaw’s shopfloor boasts of machines such as Canon ImagePress C910; Bhogle foiling device, cutting devices, eco-solvent setup and CTP bureau, besides the new Duplo DDC-810. A total of 25 employees works in two shifts.

The DDC-810 digital spot UV coater is a compact and affordable solution which offers printers the capability to enhance their images with a layer of texture and depth utilising inkjet technology. It works on piezoelectric DOD inkjet technology with 600x600-dpi resolution inkjet head from Kyocera assisted by UV lamp curing technology. The device applies layers of textures and depths on UV spots with high gloss varnish.

Deepan Trade Solutions buys its second Canon

Rahul Kumar — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:50:00

The company was using a C910, and due to high volume and demand in the market, it decided to add one more C910 to its fleet.

Nidheesh of Deepan Trade Solutions said the company decided to go for another ImagePress C910 because according to his experience it is one of the most durable and stable print engines in its category. “The reliability of the machine helped us achieve higher volume, as we have already completed 48 lakhs of colour impressions in our first C910 equipment in just three years,” Nidheesh said.

He added, “We have already tasted the success and the productivity of Canon ImagePress C910. The productivity and quality of the machine is best in class. I could not expect anything more from any other colour engine in this category.”

Established in 1029 in the heart of the city, Deepan Trade Solutions is a one-stop solution for all digital printing works, and specialises in variable data printing. Today, the company is one of the leaders in Kerala printing nearly 2.5 lakhs of impressions in a month.

The Canon ImagePress C910 series is a light to mid-volume production colour digital press that incorporates advanced technologies to help small commercial printers and jobbers to drive business performance in a compact footprint. It offers robust production speeds of up to 90-ppm.

Kolkata’s Shakti Printers invests in Ricoh

Rahul Kumar — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:14:00

Established around 15 years back, and located at Sealdah in Kolkata, Shakti Printers offers a complete commercial printing solution, where clients from diverse clusters flock for print applications of all kinds. The company is known for fulfilling premium print demands of big corporate clients from different market and industrial segments. It offers complete print solutions, which include the whole range right from commercial digital printing up to digital large-format graphics.

“We are proud of having a facility with a complete portfolio of machines comprising a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C3080, an offset press, and a vinyl and flex printer. Now we have upgraded with a Ricoh Pro C7200X with which we redefine the quality of our commercial prints,” said Anirban Das, owner, Shakti Printers. “With our complete machine portfolio, we fulfil every bit of our customers’ requirements — right from business cards to vinyl posters, all under one roof.”

He added, “We have diverse profiles of customers from different market segments. One segment is custom book printing. Some of the publishing conglomerates like S Chand Group are in the list of our regular clients.”

With the new Ricoh Pro C7200X, Shakti Printers has enhanced its on-demand book printing job. In this respect, Anirban said the digital press has opened the possibility to play with a range of special colours like white, clear and neon on book covers and other commercial print applications like inserts, pamphlets, ID cards, letterheads and others.

On choosing the Ricoh over other digital presses, Das emphasised on the fact that the Ricoh machine is made for diversifying the printing capacity. He said his first impression of the machine is its productivity, speed and advanced features like the fifth colour printing capacity. “With this machine, we have improved our turnaround times and have boosted printing capacity to another level,” he added.

The Ricoh Pro C7200X is designed to deliver premium graphics up to 360-gsm at the speed of 85-ppm.

Das said customers are now excited with the more colour choices they offer with the new press. “We appreciate Monotech Systems for such an advanced and versatile digital press. We are thankful to the entire team who helped us find such a machine and their cordial after-sales service,” he said.

“Ricoh is leaving its footprint in each region and our customers vouch for the quality and capability of the press. The trend is that most of the customers have either replaced their existing setup or added a Ricoh press for doing innovations and taking their production to the next level,” Ajeet Pareek, business head, digital products and solutions, Monotech Systems, said.

Indore’s JK Graphic in growth trajectory with Xerox Iridesse

Rahul Kumar — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:11:00

“We are focused on inculcating specialty in our print applications, which the Iiridesse offers with its single pass six-colour option, which helped us to provide applications beyond CMYK,” Wadhwani said.

A believer of Xerox’s approach towards quality in printing, its built quality and overall service, JK Graphics has had a very nice experience with Xerox in terms of machine offerings, quality of printing and post-sale service of the machine.

Manas Wadhwani, COO, JK Graphic Systems, added, “Productivity of the machine played a big role in the decision-making process, as the machine offers 20% increment in terms of printing speed and almost 50% increment in terms of ripping speed, while maintaining accuracy in terms of colours and image reproduction and carrying even RGB and special pantone colours.”

Apart from this, Wadhwani said, the machine’s vacuum feeder helps avoid media jamming at the same time giving possibility to have different kinds of specialty media, including 400-gsm media, processed while machine is in production increasing the overall productivity.

Finally, the Wadhwanis said, the support and knowledge base that Xerox carries is vast and has helped the company in the past. They said Xerox offered operator training both on hardware as well as software to operators as well as designers for file preparations, features of the machines, among others.

The Wadhwanis said the machine has proven to be a business booster from day one, and now, the company is more confident with the print quality it offers to our customers. Also, the productivity of the press has helped the company to take more orders.

Started by Jagdish Wadhwani in 1991, JK Graphic Systems started with a small print shop in Indore, expanding the operations horizontally and vertically. Now JK Graphic operates in a 12,000-sqft unit with a vision focused on specialty digital printing applications and converting. The key people in the business include Jagdish Wadhwani, his wife Vaishali Wadhwani and his sons Ankit and Manas.

The company focuses on specialty printing applications and niche printing applications. The major market segments include corporate, industrial, semi government, government as well as retail entities.

The company employs around 40 people. “We believe in continuously updating our present unit as well as focus on opening newer horizons related to the segment for the same,” the Wadhwanis said.

Apart from the Xerox Iridesse, the company also recently installed a digital embellishment press from Konica Minolta to cater to spot UV and foiling. Besides, the company’s shopfloor includes digital flatbed die-cutters, pre-press equipment, mono machines, large format inkjet printers, and a host of other finishing machines.

Following the installation of the Iridesse, the company is expecting a skyrocketing growth as the company has invested and are investing in print enhancement and print finishing equipment. “We expect doubling of our turnovers in 2023-24, while increasing our margins as well,” the Wadhwanis said.

Box and Branding upgrades with Ricoh

Rahul Kumar — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 17:22:00

As its name suggests, Box and Branding is an expert in box making and printing premium packaging designs and materials. The company is the brainchild of two partners — Balaji KP and Arun Kumar V.

“In the last two decades of our presence in the industry, we feel duty-bound to upgrade our production facility from time to time with the latest machines or technologies to keep up with the current market trends. So, we have invested in Ricoh Pro C7200X,” said Balaji.

The company is equipped with post-press facilities including UV embellishment, foiling and digital flatbed cutting, textured UV, cast and cure, and embossed UV up to 100 microns with a capacity of 2,000 sheets per hour. The specialty of the facility is that it can do even 10 sheets minimum for the mockup/sampling process.

He said, “We have been closely working for a host of eminent clients from different market clusters, viz., FMCG, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and others for years. Some of the big corporates like Hindustan Petroleum and Hatsun Agro Products are our old clients.”

To make the service more convenient for its clients, Box and Branding has developed two digital platforms — PrintClub.in and PrintOnGo.com. “Print Club is a B2B platform exclusively for printers in and around south India, where they can order all types of digital print and finished products through our website, while PrintOnGo is a D2C platform for all sorts of customers to order a print directly from their website,” explained Balaji.

On choosing Ricoh Pro C7200X, Balaji said the new digital press has empowered the company to add extra colours to short-run prints. “If you want to go beyond CMYK, this digital press is the ideal choice to diversify printing possibilities with more colours,” he said, adding that the special white ink tonner in the press can be used to bring out spectacular results on dark media, clear sheets, or other materials like kappa board.

With the additional white ink toner, the Ricoh Pro C7200X opens a new horizon for Box and Branding to explore innovative prints. “This press is made for printing with special colours which many presses in its class cannot do when it comes to cost-effectiveness and versatility with substrates,” said Balaji. He added that with the adoption of such an advanced digital press, the company is now fully reinforced to boost its export business as well.

The Ricoh C7200X prints at 85-ppm, handling up to 360-gsm media in banner sheet duplex mode. Monotech Systems keeps expanding the installation base of this press across the country. Balaji said that they are privileged to get this highly advanced and versatile press from Monotech Systems, which they know well and trust for their commitment towards the overall satisfaction of their customers.

“Short-run packaging is the future, and digital is the best technology for this. We are happy to see the productivity of the Ricoh Pro C7200X at different levels and applications. This portrays the product’s versatility and reliability that boosts our and customer’s confidence.” said Ajeet Pareek, digital products and solutions, Monotech Systems.

Meerut’s Kuber scales its business with HP Indigo

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:24:00

The digital printing service provider catering to photography and general commercial print applications will utilise the HP Indigo 12000 HD to venture into the new big-size albums, light packaging, gift boxes, and wedding invites, sheetfed labels and personalised amateur photo books.

Sanjay Rastogi, managing director, Kuber Digital, said, “We are happy with our long-standing partnership with HP over the past five years, which has allowed us to make significant advancements in both the wedding photography market and the commercial printing sector.”

He added, “With HP Indigo 12000 HD, we are looking forward to achieving further growth and profitability through improved offerings in various categories including general commercial print, wedding cards, and personalised gift boxes. We are optimistic that our extended association will be fruitful and create a significant impact on our business.”

Providing freedom to innovate and create unlimited designs, the 29-inches HP Indigo 12000 digital press offers exceptional print quality, great productivity, and broad versatility to generate the widest commercial application range. It is equipped with intelligent colour automation and Indigo’s liquid electrophotography (LEP) technology.

A Appadurai, country manager, Indigo and inkjet business solutions, HP India, said, “Being a pioneer in providing the best-in-class digital press solutions for commercial, labels, and packaging printing, we understand the evolving needs of our customers and partners that demand highly crafted solutions. Our HP Indigo press has propelled the printing industry to reach new heights and empowered customers to innovate and customise as per the changing requirements. To support the businesses of our partners, we at HP are dedicated to providing the best quality with the highest level of productivity. We are thrilled to partner with Kuber Digital and hope this partnership further helps them advance and grow with HP's digital technology.”

Sivakasi’s Orient invests in Canon for short-run jobs

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:20:00

S Chandranath, partner, Orient Litho Press, said, “With the Canon ImagePress C710 in our premises, we wish to cater to the short-run jobs of our clients. We decided to have an in-house digital press for printing short-run jobs of duplex cartons, diaries, calendars, and books. We have entrusted Canon to support us with the good print quality and service it is known for.”

Established in 1948, Orient is a partnership business with four partners — S Chandranath; S Jayasankar; C Yogendran and J Vignesh. The company specialises in packaging and bindery, and manufactures products such as duplex cartons; diaries, calendars; books; notebooks; scribbling pads and leaflets and posters.

The company is the recipient of the President Award for Excellence in printing for 15 years.

Beside the new machine, the company shopfloor houses a Mitsubishi five-colour UV printing machine; a KBA four-colour machine; a Mitsubishi two-colour machine; a Komori Lithrone 1/1 colour perfector; a Mitsubishi 1/1 colour perfector; a Bobst die-cutter; a Brausse die-cutter; two Dheemanth folder-gluers; five Itoh cutting machines; three Shoei folding machines; an Aster book sewing machine; four saddle stitching machines, among others.

The Canon ImagePress C710 Series is a light to mid-volume production colour digital press that incorporates advanced technologies to help small commercial printers and in-plants drive business performance in a compact footprint. It offers robust production speeds of up to 70-ppm, while featuring an intuitive, flexible design that delivers both productivity and versatility for printing establishments of varying sizes.

Redex transforms its photo business with Revoria

Rahul Kumar — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:17:00

“We specialise in photobook/album printing and for us, quality of photo is critical in this segment. We wanted to stand out in the market. When we discovered the specialty colours in Revoria, such as pink, gold, silver, and saw the output, we were impressed. For example, smoother and beautiful skin textures can be produced using pink toner. Plus, the printing quality is very good. There are no grains, no noise, and the machine offers clear and sharp prints, natural skin tone and vibrant colours with pink,” Jaisal, managing partner at Redex Photo Book, said.

Redex Photo Books was founded in 2011. The company offers arrays of services, such as creative designing and printing of photobooks/albums, calendars, table albums, album boxes, covers, UV coated printing, engraving and UV embossed. They offer a full range of customised solutions to a diverse set of clients with a deep understanding of technology/

At the speed of 120-ppm, Fujifilm Revoria PC 1120 offers the customers the ability to print beyond CMYK with specialty colours, such as gold, silver, white, clear, pink to push creativity boundaries on different media. The press has six stations. So, two specialty colours can be used in one go and the configuration is in a way that underlay and overlay can be done in a single pass.

“Pictures tell us a story which words cannot. At Redex, we strive to transfer the best memories of our customers onto paper with the best of quality. While producing the best photobooks for our customers, we take care of both printing media and print quality and it was impressive to see Revoria press supporting all the different kinds of media, such as lustre paper, high gloss, non-tearable and many more.” Jaisal added.

“In India, we see photo printing for wedding photos only. The situation is different elsewhere, where customers order photobooks for events, such as vacations, birthdays and anniversaries, events, remembering the year, moods, child growing years, etc. A similar trend will also come to India. There is enough headroom for the photo print business to grow and increase multifold from current level,” Ajay Aggarwal, MD & CEO at Insight Print Communications, said.

Sun Up Autopack gets HP Latex for fast turnaround

Rahul Kumar — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 11:51:00

The machine, which has been running on the company shopfloor for the last two months, offers the Sun Up an edge with quality prints, environmental certified inks, higher productivity, unique capability to print back-to-back and offer the end customer the same results during the day and night with the DSDN facility – important for brands like Airtel and Vodafone who wants the same brand colour during the day and night.

Founded in 2010 and headed by CEO Karan Arora, Sun Up Autopack is a leading manufacturer and supplier of signage, displays, corrugated box and packaging material in MPCG region. Coresigns, a printing division of Sun Up Autopack, is facilitated with state-of-the-art technology and known in the market for quality prints and unmatched service.

“MPCG is one of the few regions where corporate brands struggle to get reliable print service providers who adhere to timelines and quality prints. Our vision was clear while investing in this machine that we would offer faster turnaround time, exceptional quality prints and sustainable printing solutions to our clients,” Karan Arora, CEO at Sun Up Autopack, said.

HP Latex 3600 prints at high speeds of 1290-sqft/hour. It can take heavy duty jumbo rolls and 10 litre ink supply for long non-stop production. The dual-roll split spindles up to 200-kg let you print two rolls with two different designs at the same time increasing productivity. A variety of applications like outdoor signage, backlit, decorative applications, soft signage, vehicle wrap can be produced with unmatched quality. Unlike UV and other technologies, it doesn’t require purging or manual cleaning, reducing ink wastage and keeps the environment clean.

“In the recent COP27 summit world leaders had come together to work collectively towards climate goals. Sooner or later, the government will introduce directives to use environmentally friendly technologies and, with the HP Latex inks, we have already taken our first step towards a sustainable future for the world as well as for us.” Arora added.

“Our philosophy is viewing ourselves as an extension of our clients’ business and it is great to see our customers thrive in the printing industry,” Ajay Aggarwal, MD & CEO at Insight Print Communications said.

Konica Minolta partners with Brother

Rahul Kumar — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 11:45:00

The partnership agreement is meant for the Indian market. Brother India has options to provide A4 printers, meant especially for Enterprise customers. Konica Minolta will promote these products under the original brand name, Brother. Through this partnership, Konica Minolta will address the consumer needs for such A4 size printers in this segment.

Katsuhisa Asari, managing director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions, said, “We, at Konica Minolta, are thrilled to partner with Brother India. This partnership will provide more growth opportunities for both organisations. The difficulties presented by the digital transition have greatly aided in our learning and exposed us to newer consumer behaviours, allowing us to provide value to our clients in the form of specialised marketing solutions. Our customer-centric approach will help us to align the needs by offering various product solutions.”

Alok Nigam, managing director of Brother International, added, “We are excited to begin this new cooperation with Konica Minolta to reach new audiences in the dynamic and vibrant Indian printing market. We continually seek innovative methods to complement the changing consumption habits of our consumers. This partnership exactly does that for us as it offers complete printing solutions with A4 and A3 capabilities to the customers and makes it mutually beneficial for Brother India and Konica Minolta.”