-installing the fastest digital printing press in Ludhiana

Enthralled with the over whelming response for photo albums after installing Konica Minolta c70HC, Ludhiana-based Dulari Digital Photo Services Pvt Ltd now installed another press from Konica Minolta, i.e. bizhub PRESS c8000, the fastest digital printing press in the city. Enabling to prints at 80 pages per minute with near offset quality, bizhub PRESS c8000 can take upto 350 gsm of paper and has a unique suction feed technology similar to offset.

Tadahiko Sumitani, managing director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India congratulated Dulari Digital Photo Services Pvt Ltd for installing the second Konica Minolta digital press supplied and supported by their premium partner Monotech Systems Ltd.

Dulari Digital Photo Services Pvt Ltd started their business in the year 2000 catering to the photo market. The increasing demand and flexibility of the digital CMYK process prompted Dulari Digital to invest in a unique digital printing machine from Konica Minolta c70HC in January 2012 which is well accepted for photo printing. They had over whelming response for photo albums after installing this press. Now, there is a huge demand from the graphic arts community in Ludhiana and surrounding areas which can be catered using bizhub PRESS c8000. Having a complete setup for designing, printing and finishing, Dulari Digital can now effectively offer better turn around time for short run applications including variable data printing.

• enabling first exclusive distribution of Intec printers in India
• with focus on the growing niche speciality printing market providing the best ROI to customers
• bringing special benefits for the printing and packaging industry

Taking another initiative with increasing commitment to printing industry, HCL Infosystems Ltd, India’s premier services and ICT systems integration, distribution and hardware company recently announced its exclusive tie up with Intec for distribution of its speciality printing systems across the country. This is for the first time that Intec heavy stock and media printers will be distributed throughout India at a very competitive price point. The partnership will create market differentiation and enhance a fast growing niche market as it will provide commercial printers with heavy stock and specialist printing capabilities.

The exclusive partnership will bring special benefits for the printing and packaging industry in India as Intec’s cutting edge technology combines with HCL Infosystems’ vast distribution network. The Intec specialist printing machine with printing above 300 GSM is beyond the capabilities of the currently available systems in India. Moreover, this will be backed with a robust and trained HCL team which will help customers with effective technical support to make the most out of the machine. Service support will be provided by the Premium HCL Service under HCL Care, HCL Infosystems’ Service and Support Division.

With emerging trends, the industry players who migrate to heavy stock or specialised printing are expected to register substantial growth in their business. Customers of the Intec Printing System will enjoy low cost of ownership, faster return on investment, unique production capabilities which will open new markets and opportunities, easy to use compact design, compatibility with other digital presses and low maintenance with easy access to consumables. Apart from Heavy stock (300- 600 GSM) paper, the Intec speciality printer can print on any surface and substrate such as corrugated sheets, wedding cards and automobile bodies. This printing solution will bring immense business benefits for commercial printers, print shops and media companies, advertising agencies and organizations engaged in the graphic arts.

“We are delighted to partner with Intec and create a new niche market opportunity in the printing industry in India. This association will further complement and strengthen our portfolio and bring a world class product to Indian customers. There is hardly any alternative available for the Intec Printers in the Indian market; also service support has always been an issue with customers for such printing systems. Our widespread distribution and service network will further create the right mix in making a successful impact in the rapidly growing Indian digital print market with the Intec printing systems,” said M Chandrasekaran, senior VP and head of office automation, HCL Infosystems speaking about the tie up.

“After the training that myself and Andy Withall delivered, HCL’s expert team is now doing what all good partners should do - they are slowly introducing the range to customers, which is a very sensible step indeed. It is all about ensuring that they do not over promise and under deliver and I am confident in their abilities. HCL’s efforts are paying off. We are delighted with the progress HCL is making,” added Kerry Button, international sales director at Intec Printing Solutions Limited.

Recent adoptions of a couple of RICOH machines have accelerated the pace of production volume, quality in outputs and cost-effectiveness at Kerala-based Koral Graphics. Shaji Antony of Koral Graphics talks to Print & Publishing about the competency of the RICOH machines. It is economical, faster and compatible with varieties of media! This is what Shaji Antony of Koral Graphics defined in a one-liner when asked about the two RICOH machines, viz. RICOH Pro C 751 (colour) and RICOH Pro 901 EX (black & white) installed recently in their production setup. “Colour consistency and low production costs are some of the unique features of RICOH machines which attracted us in the first place,” he said. He further added that they are planning to capture new segments like product tags printed in special colour schemes following the adoptions of the two RICOH machines.

Background

Koral Graphics was established as a small designing centre around 15 years back at Alleppey in central Kerala where Shaji Antony along with two of his colleagues were managing to bring the company to the level of what it is today. In 2005, Koral Graphics first installed a Xerox DC 5252 digital colour machine and also added Xerox WC 238, an Autoprint offset press, etc in subsequent years. Today, the setup is relatively equipped with a range of post-press equipments too. And the two RICOH machines installed recently are the latest updates in the portfolio.

Activities

Overall strength and vigour in the activities of Koral Graphics have been backed up by the company’s team of 15 committed staffers who handle everything exclusively from pre-press to post-press tasks. Roping in so far in the clientele of the company are some eminent and regular customers from specific segments like tourism and (coir) exports. “Since Kerala is famous tourist destination, we have been working for a number of tour operators,” said Shaji naming Alleppey as one of the major hubs with rich activities in backwater tourism.

Plans ahead

After the adoption of RICOH machines, which have boosted Koral Graphics’ business beyond expectations, Shaji has built up his confidence over digital printing. He mentioned that the company is eying to acquire further capacity to convert major portion of their offset jobs into digital soon.

DNS colour print is the latest development in Mondi’s professional printing portfolio. The new digital colour printing paper falls within the company’s offering of smooth high-white papers for a broad spectrum of applications that demand high-impact colour saturation.

The DNS brand by international pulp and paper maker Mondi continues to grow with the launch of DNS colour print, the company’s latest development for the fast growing digital printing market. This latest paper offers customers the high whiteness level (170 CIE) characteristic of DNS premium and DNS high-speed inkjet. However, DNS colour print introduces an extra smooth surface to the list of features and benefits comprising the full brand portfolio. The smooth finish combined with the paper’s high opacity allows for full colour reproduction for duplex printing. With far-reaching potential for print applications, DNS colour print is specially engineered for digital colour printing on laser printers, copiers, and digital colour presses. Moreover, DNS colour print is produced with ColourLok Technology, which is a class of paper additives that visibly enhance the print quality of inkjet documents while providing faster drying times.

With a range of grammages from 80-300 g/m2 in A4, A3 (LG/SG) and SRA3 formats, versatility is a prime benefit for printers handling diverse applications from marketing collateral to invitations to business cards. DNS colour print is also suitable for preprint applications such as letterhead and office stationery.

“The research and development for DNS colour print took place at Mondi Neusielder mill in Austria, where the paper is produced. Mondi Neusiedler has been in the paper making business for more than 200 years and has led the way in developing papers for digital printing for more than 20 years. Its reputation for high quality and innovation is well-earned and recognised by professionals in the paper industry,” said Johannes Klumpp, marketing and sales director for Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper.