Printing hub @ Patparganj Industrial Estate
Printing and publishing in Delhi NCR region has a few hubs, which are known for being a one-stop-solution for all printing jobs. Patparganj Industrial Estate is one of them which have gained reputation as the best venues for all kinds of print solutions. In our endeavour to explore such places, we visited Patpatganj Industrial Estate and were overwhelmed to know that this place has over 200 small, medium and big printers. Here’s a spotlight on the same. The Indian printing industry has undergone a revolutionary change in the last 15-20 years. In past few years, industry has witnessed many changes and printers have always accepted these changes and given back their best to the industry. These changes opened the doors for the Indian print industry to modernise, by investing in the latest of technologies and machineries. In recent years, the printing industry in India has seen record levels of growth, owing to liberalised regimes, globalisation and progress in automation. The industry has grown leaps and bounds due to the latest technologies and machineries, quality standards and production capacities. To better understand the pulse of industry, Smita Dwivedi talked to a few select printers in this region and brings nuggets for our readers.
These printers are equipped with the latest computer controlled printing machines and flowlines for binding, while state-of-the-art digital technologies are used in pre-press. The advent of global brands, rising consumerism and growth in package printing are a few positive points for this industry today, whereas slowdown in commercial printing is the biggest challenge that they are combating together. The digital printing industry is also seeing significant transformations with new technologies and applications providing costeffective and customised solutions. For the foreseeable future, offset and digital will not only co-exist, but will also complement other with offset taking the medium-to-longer jobs and digital performing best on short-tomedium run lengths.
The printers who shared their wisdom included KR Mishra (A&M Design & Print Production), Anuj & Atul Goel (Kaveri Print Process Pvt Ltd), Manish Jain (Options Printofast), Vikas Gupta (Universal Offset) and Vijay Jain (Paras Printers).
Reason to shift to Patparganj Industrial Estate…
KR Mishra: We came here in 1997, at that time this was the best place as it is within Delhi and well connected. Moreover, the price of land was also affordable for us.
Anuj & Atul Goel: We shifted here as an additional unit to Kaveri Print Process, as we had more work. But later in 2001, our Daryaganj press premise was sealed under government rules, so we needed a new place nearby to cater our existing clients. There were places like Noida and Okhla, but we chose Patparganj as it is located nearest to NH24. So, it was most suited option for us at that time and we really like this place, even today.
Manish Jain: We wanted to expand and needed a bigger space. We actually started with a screen printing unit in a garage, and always wanted to have bigger space. Delhi was one of the most favorable destination and probably the one that we could afford.
Vikas Gupta: We were the first printer to shift here in 1996. Geographically this place was ideal for us. There were places like Jhilmil, Naraina, Sahibabad or Faridabad but we opted this, as it was well planned and beautiful place. Moreover, in terms of security also, I feel this place is safer.
Vijay Jain: We had no space left in our Daryaganj unit, so for expansion and better serve our trans-Yamuna clients, we shifted here.
Emerging trends in printing…
KR Mishra: There was time, when printing was really a lucrative business and today, when I look at the profit figures, I simply remember those days. There’s a definite slowdown in commercial printing with so many printers, making profit margins drastically low.
Anuj & Atul Goel: It’s not easy to be a commercial printer in today’s scenario but we still see growth in printing and there’s a slight increase in print volumes. But the most promising segment is packaging…we see a lot of scope there.
Manish Jain: There is 100 percent slowdown in printing industry. Capacity of printing has increased manifold, but the result is not good. Expenditures of printers have increased but corporate printing budgets have gone down. Paper prices are ever increasing but not the print rates. So, as a printer, we are going through real tough time.
Vikas Gupta: The volume of children and educational books printing is growing at a steady pace and packaging printing is another safe segment for printers. The commercial printing is totally choked and survival is getting tougher. The situation is really disturbing; I hope situation gets better soon.
Vijay Jain: My opinion is also same as most of my peers, yes it’s a tough situation and this slump needs to get over soon, otherwise there are many printers, who would not be able to survive.
Legacy to move on?
KR Mishra: Well, I don’t see any newcomer joining in, when there’s a lot of other fields available, where growth and profits are much better. In my case, it would be my kids’ personal choice to join printing trade or not.
Anuj & Atul Goel: I don’t think it is a right time for anybody to join in printing industry as the set up cost is huge. For established printers, it’s good to involve young blood of the family. Our second generation Ankit Goel and Tuneer Goel are already there in the business.
Manish Jain: I would say wait and watch.
Vikas Gupta: It’s not at all conducive time for venturing into printing, as far as my next generation is concerned, I will not advise them to be a printer…for sure.
Vijay Jain: No, there’s no new entrant in this industry. And those kids, who are grown up watching printing for many years, cannot think of other profession. My son Kshitiz Jain has joined business full-fledged and I feel he is doing better than me in every sense.
On client relationships…
KR Mishra: No matter how hard we try, I feel now customers are not bothered about anything. They just want their job to be done. We try out best to serve them, but at the end of the day…customers is truly a king.
Anuj & Atul Goel: We share a wonderful relationship with our clients; some of them are with us for many years. Yes, we do take special initiatives for maintaining cordial relationships. Timeliness and prompt service at doorstep is the key to retain clients.
Manish Jain: When we are dealing with quality conscious clients, we know their requirements and they are easy to handle. Whereas those clients, who just want to get their job done at a minimum cost are the most difficult ones to handle.
Vikas Gupta: We have to give best of everything to our clients…be it quality or cost. After that comes the serving part. We try hard to match their timelines and never say no to them. So, we have some good clients with us for many years.
Vijay Jain: There is no such thing called client loyalty now…we are busy finding new clients everyday.
Trade shows: to visit or not
Anuj & Atul Goel: These shows are really important to know the latest trends and technology. We have been to last edition of IPEX but we found machines and technologies very costly for us. However, we are planning to visit drupa in 2016.
Manish Jain: I have never been to any of these printing events. This time I went to Frankfurt Book Fair as a printer. But I was surprised to know that all the printing jobs of big publishers from US and UK is being done by Chinese printers…moreover, at most competitive prices, so I decided to focus on Indian market.
Vikas Gupta: I have been to drupa just once and that too long back. I find such shows really informative and important for printers’ community world over.
Vijay Jain: I have been to both drupa and IPEX shows regularly, it’s good to know about printing trends world over, but not really useful for us.
Challenges faced…
KR Mishra: I feel there is lot of competition within the printers’ community, besides all the external challenges that we are facing, it is the most prominent one in my opinion. We should not try to lure other printers’ clients. It is the time that we all have to stay united as this can be our greatest strength.
Anuj & Atul Goel: It is really a surprising fact that printing rates in Delhi have not increased for last 25 years. What we have been charging 15-20 years ago, are still done at same cost. So, just imagine the situation of printers. Everything from input material to labour cost has gone up, but we are not able to pass this increased cost to our clients. We need to do something for that immediately.
Manish Jain: I feel lack of trained and skilled printing professionals is the biggest challenge that we are facing today. We can do wonders with our installed machines, but we lag behind at international arena, when it comes to print quality. There’s also lack of entrepreneurship in our print industry.
Vikas Gupta: Being a printer is a biggest challenge today.
Vijay Jain: Biggest challenge today is the survival issue. If this slowdown continues for another six more months, it would be really difficult to even survive.
Message to readers…
KR Mishra: Wait and Watch. I am hoping that this newly formed government will do some reforms for us. I have faith in Modi government and so I am waiting for good times ahead.
Anuj & Atul Goel: I want to say in Hindi ‘Rate Badao’ (increase rates).
Manish Jain: There is lot of scope in Indian market. So instead of focusing on slowdown, we should start looking for new segments in printing.
Vikas Gupta: It’s the time we need to think in terms of profit, not just numbers. When we are investing so much money and time in our job, we have to be sure of the profits that we are making, is it justified. If not, it’s time to take action.
Vijay Jain: Increase printing cost and print more. When input cost has increased so much, it’s the time when output cost need to be increased.
“We are dedicated to produce the finest
print jobs in today’s competitive world”
–says KR Mishra (A&M Design & Print Production)
A&M was established in the year 1991 by the people who have been working in the fields of advertising, pre-press and merchandising. They were the first company to provide offset printing and wide format solvent printing under one-roof. “We believe in adding value to assignment that we undertake for our clients. We try to understand their needs carefully and then come up with practical solutions that are likely to meet their expectations. The emphasis is on delivering the best in the given circumstances. The client should concentrate on what they do best – make good products and market great brands. The quality and timely delivery of print production assignments should be one of their last worries. It is our aim to provide the best quality printing services, at the best price, and with least hassle. That’s why we have developed one stop printing solution from pre-press planning to printing to fabrication and also we keep tight control on quality and ensure consistent results,” shared Mishra.
They have a well equipped setup including Heidelberg CtP plate technology and Mitsubishi printing machine, Polar paper cutting, Muller Martini flow-line machine, Roland inkjet printer, perfect binder, etc.
“We are exploring new avenues of printing
as we are hopeful that printing will remain forever.”
–says Vijay Jain, Paras Printers
Paras Printers was started in the year 1994 as a complete print shop, after having experience of 15 years as freelance. This printing house provides virtually all commercial print requirements on paper and board in the form of catalogues, brochures, newsletters, books and all kind of publicity materials.
“Absolute commitment to quality, meticulous attention to details and unparallel level of services has made us stand in the competitive world of printing. On the whole, we are committed to employing dedicated staff, investing in the very best technology available and maintaining a close involvement with industry. At Paras, we design each and every print job to meet the exact requirements of our clients. The unit runs up to 95 percent of its capacity round the clock whole year,” shared Vijay. The machines installed included one Komori Offset, two Polly offset and two plate making machines with die punching, lamination and binding machines.
“Your quality of print speaks a lot about you as a printer.
So do not settle for anything less to be on top”
–says Manish Jain (Options Printofast)
Options Printofast has a complete infrastructure for un-interrupted quality production with latest state-of-theart equipment and highly technically trained staff. With latest in house facility for computerised plate production, they have made a niche for themselves. “In the last 15 years of working, we have made a name for ourselves especially in the multicolour jobs of various type of work as per specific requirements and demands of customers. In this short span, we have created a strong goodwill amongst our prestigious clients due to our timely delivery, high quality of finished products and above all reasonable pricing,” added Manish.
They have well equipped facility, with installed machines like Komori Lithrone A-37 sheetfed offset, Komori SPICA series, Dominant 4-colour and single colour presses with complete post press equipment and machines. “Our perfect binding machine is capable of binding 30,000 books per day,” added Manish.
“We have to be always on our toes to deliver the best in
quality, commitment, expertise, responsiveness and timeliness”
–says Vikas Gupta (Universal Offset)
Universal Offset has emerged from a team that had clear vision of fulfilling expectations of its customers who want better service, quality and transparency. The company started its operations in 1990 from Delhi with a humble start but today the printing house boasts of exceptional and timely service. “We ensure the seamless workflow of different sections and safe preservation of the stocks. A strong workforce of around 220 personnel including designers, operators, marketing and production executives, etc is our core strength,” said Vikas.
Universal Offset installed first Mitsubishi Diamond V3000 4-colour sheet-fed offset machine (now they have two more Mitsubishi installed in the last two years), first Akiyama (J Print 4P40) sheetfed offset press in India and a Heidelberg single colour machine, besides three variable data printing machines in their printing unit. While in post press they are equipped with perfect binding machines from Welbound and Muller Martini, Stahl folding machine, Aster sewing machines, Polygraph saddle stitcher and gathering machines along with lamination, die-punching machines, etc.
“Being a pioneer in printing and publishing for 30 years,
we feel ourselves responsible for the betterment of our industry.”
–says Atul Goel of Kaveri Print Process
Kaveri is one of the pioneers of printing and publishing industry in the NCR region for past three decades. They are committed to deliver quality in record time with a focus to deliver best from their multiple units.
They are equipped with two CtP plate making systems with, printing machines from KBA, CPC Poly and Komori in their printing unit. In the post press section they have multiple Stahl folding machines, section sewing machines, flow line machine from Muller Martini and other post press equipments. “Our in-house complete printing and allied facilities has made it possible to get all things produced under one roof. The team of technically qualified technicians is fully geared to serve clients. At present, our company is equipped with best machines and equipment in all segments,” Atul shared.
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