A Bi Monthly Magazine on Printed and Digital Communications

HP Indigo BIG Ways to Empower SMALL Brands!

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Here’s a story of how HP Indigo Technology is empowering small brands to come up in big ways amid the crowds. Vidi’s Coffee, a brand born in a cosy kitchen in Belgaum, the journey began with a simple love for coffee and a commitment to quality. Today, Vidi’s has grown into a symbol of premium coffee culture in India’s Tier-II cities, bringing tradition and dedication to every cup. HP Indigo played a vital role in it!

 Another brand is ChakkiPeesing, which started its journey from paper bags to digital pouches – a packaging revolution empowered by HP Indigo Technology! It started off as basic as it gets – paper laminated bags, the kind that were more “functional” than “flawless” with stickers slapped on them and today it escalated to a whole new level.     

Vidi’s Coffee

Starting a new business comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially when venturing into a market as competitive as coffee. For Vidi’s Coffee, a brand born in a cozy kitchen in Belgaum, the journey began with a simple love for coffee and a commitment to quality. Today, Vidi’s has grown into a symbol of premium coffee culture in India’s Tier 2 cities, bringing tradition and dedication to every cup.

Founded by an entrepreneur with a background in IT, Vidi’s Coffee is a testament to the power of passion. Starting a brand from scratch in a field vastly different from one’s own was no easy feat. The founder shares, “Being from an IT background, starting a brand of my own was unimaginable. But the desire to prove myself, along with the unwavering support of my family, helped me embark on this journey into the world of coffee.”

One of the key enablers in this journey was the support from the AIC (Atal Incubation Centre) of the Coffee Board. As part of its mission to empower coffee entrepreneurs in India, AIC provided Vidi’s Coffee with essential mentorship and resources. This support helped Vidi’s navigate challenges unique to the coffee business and equipped them to grow in the market. AIC’s role has been instrumental in guiding new coffee brands through the complexities of the industry, providing Vidi’s with insights on market trends, supply chain dynamics, and industry standards.

While love for coffee drove Vidi’s forward, creating the right packaging became a critical step. In a market filled with visually engaging brands, Vidi’s needed packaging that not only captured the essence of their product but also stood out on the shelf to appeal to their target audience. “The biggest challenge was finding a packaging solution that truly represented our brand,” the founder explains. “This was eventually sorted out with the timely help from HP Indigo Technology and Embee Flexi Label Pvt Ltd(Bangalore), which made our brand stand out in the market.”

HP Indigo’s digital printing technology offers game-changing advantages to small brands like Vidi’s Coffee, especially those operating in competitive spaces where quality and differentiation are key. By enabling short runs of customized, high-quality packaging, HP Indigo provides the flexibility to create unique, eye-catching designs without committing to large quantities. This adaptability is essential for small brands seeking to maintain a fresh and distinct identity in the market.

In collaboration with Embee Flexi Label Pvt Ltd, HP Indigo provided Vidi’s with the tools to bring their vision to life on each package. The result is an appealing and professional package that reflects the brand’s dedication to quality and attention to detail. “With HP Indigo’s support, we achieved the look and feel we wanted to perfectly represent our coffee. Our packaging now resonates with the premium quality of our coffee, which is essential as we expand into new markets,” the founder notes.

This success story of Vidi’s Coffee illustrates the potential of digital printing technology and industry collaboration to empower small brands, particularly in India’s growing Tier 2 cities. With the AIC of the Coffee Board providing guidance and HP Indigo bringing flexibility and creativity to the packaging process, brands like Vidi’s can adapt, innovate, and present their story with authenticity. For Vidi’s, this means each cup of coffee not only delivers a premium taste but also reinforces the brand’s promise of quality through thoughtfully designed packaging.

HP Indigo’s commitment to supporting small businesses, coupled with AIC’s industry-specific mentorship, is driving change, making it possible for entrepreneurs across various segments to compete, grow, and shine. With the right partners, dreams that start in a small kitchen can turn into brands that stand tall in the market. For Vidi’s Coffee, this partnership has been an essential ingredient to success, bringing their love for coffee closer to more people and making their mark on India’s coffee landscape.

ChakkiPeesing

At ChakkiPeesing, we’re all about finding the sweet spot between tradition and innovation. Picture this: ancient milling techniques meeting modern nutrition where heritage and health blend seamlessly and every packet of flour is freshly ground, just for you. Sounds perfect, right? Well, it wasn’t always this smooth – especially when it came to our packaging.

The Early Days: Paper Bags and Pandemic Struggles

We launched our brand in the midst of the first COVID-19 lockdown. And like many startups, we had to make do with what we had. Our packaging? Well, let’s just say it started off as basic as it gets – paper laminated bags, the kind that were more “functional” than “flawless,” with stickers slapped on them. Initially, we didn’t even have product-specific stickers – just the generic ones that didn’t say much about what was inside. Later, we tried upgrading with screen printing, but we quickly hit some major roadblocks.

The MOQ Dilemma

Our big problem? MOQ. With the vast variety of flours we sell, committing to large quantities for traditional cylinder-based printing wasn’t feasible. Not to mention, the design possibilities were limited, and the cost? Through the roof! But wait, there was more – the laminated paper bags we were using, while seemingly eco-friendly, were actually a nightmare for the environment. The multiple layers of materials made them impossible to recycle. Talk about irony!

And while we were busy trying to juggle packaging costs, we were also trying to preserve the freshness of our flours – no preservatives here, just freshly milled goodness. It became clear that our packaging was neither serving our brand nor the environment the way we had hoped.

The Tipping Point: A Fresh Idea

As feedback came pouring in from customers and well-wishers, we realized we needed a change. Freshness, brand identity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness – it was a tall order, but we were up for the challenge. We got our design team to work on something that was as fresh as the flour inside: a unique shape, modern look, yet with a natural feel.

Digital Printing to the Rescue!

Enter digital pouch printing. Initially, we were skeptical. “Digital printing? Coordination sounds complicated!” we thought. But then, through a serendipitous workshop organized by IPEC TBI, we were introduced to the brilliant minds behind HP Indigo + Hora Arts. It was like a light bulb went off. This was the solution we’d been waiting for!

We were blown away by the endless design possibilities, the low MOQ, and the sustainability of the solution. The best part? We didn’t have to sacrifice quality or aesthetic. In fact, the design guidance and size recommendations from Hora Arts helped us craft something that truly represented our brand. The shift to digital printing was a no-brainer – we dove in headfirst!

A Flourishing Outcome

Fast forward to November 2024, and we had our first batch of new flour packets! The transformation was immediate – aesthetic superiority, functional design, and better preservation. The sealed pouches ensured that our freshly milled flour stayed fresh for longer, keeping spoilage at bay.

And guess what? The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Our customers are loving the new look, and we’re proud to say it’s a packaging solution that checks all the boxes – beautiful, sustainable, and freshness-preserving.

So there you have it. What started as a humble pandemic project has now blossomed into a packaging transformation that’s both modern and rooted in tradition – all thanks to the magic of digital printing. Here’s to the sweet spot between tradition, innovation, and a whole lot of flour!

(HP Commercial in collaboration with Redington is at Stall K-36 and HP Labels & Packaging in collaboration with TechNova Imaging Systems is at Stall K-20 in Hall 16 at PRINTPACK INDIA 2025)     

 

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