Shedding light on the ongoing market trends and newer digital print applications,
Puneet Datta, Director, Professional Printing Products Division, Canon India Pvt Ltd,
tells about some prospects and possibilities as well as the key highlights at the company’s
booth at PAMEX 2020.
What are the newer trends and applications digital printers should look for as the photo book segment is a bit saturated?
Puneet: Digital printing is evolving quite significantly in all areas—either in tonner-based or inkjet-based applications. However, tonner-based technology is far more mature, so that newer applications in this segment are trending in the market. Today everybody knows what all innovations and applications that can be done and achieved with toner-based printing technology. In this regard, inkjet is a bit slow and in a developing phase. When we talk about growing segments, digital printers should mull over label and packaging.
When it comes to photo book printing, it’s true that quantum of innovations in this segment is a bit saturated today. But this segment can never be totally saturated as India is still a young country to explore more about photo book printing. Apart from big-fat weddings that take place every year across the country, there are other aspects in photo printing market that every digital printer can explore.
What kind of timelines should printers keep for upgrading a digital press or when planning to invest in a new machine?
Puneet: Timelines depend on the type of press or machine which digital printers adopt or looking for. Most of the printers normally upgrade presses in five-year intervals. Another important point in this respect, when investing in a new press, is that digital printers should know deeper technical features and technicality of the machine. If it’s a normal tonner-based cut-sheet press, operator with prior knowledge of digital technology will have no intricacy. Whereas, in case of a larger inkjet press, I advise printers to have at least a three-month timeline to fully understand the machine and figure out possible applications. In a way, digital printing technology is an ever-learning process. However, automations nowadays make this learning process easier than ever.
According to you, which area in packaging segment can be converted to digital for faster adoption and sellability in India?
Puneet: I can’t point out a particular area in packaging to advice digital printers for faster adoption and sellability. The whole segment is growing with innovative applications in areas such as flexible packaging, label and others. Label printing is gaining new momentum of growth. We have seen rapid emergence of new FMCG companies in big and small cities across the country. Such development triggers new business opportunity for the digital printing engaged in flexible packaging and self-adhesive label printing.
How is the inkjet picking up in the commercial and packaging segments?
Puneet: As I mentioned above,inkjet is now in a developing phase. Inkjet applications and the technology’s role in the commercial and packaging segments are quite new, but developing gradually. In India, as on today, it’s unfortunate to say that majority of inkjet press installations are in a transition phase. It’s lagging little behind what is taking place in the European and American markets. But I would say there is prospect of many new applications and innovations of digital inkjet printing in the commercial and packaging segments in India. The technology has a lot to exploit in future.
Do you think online selling/retailing of print applications can increase digital printing in India?
Puneet: Of course, e-commerce can boost digital printing in India. In a tremendous way, this platform allows retailers sell their products round the clock with 24×7 support and opening hours. Such development in the retail sector means generation of new volumes of work in the packaging sector. Even the emergence of leading e-commerce business players like Amazon and Flipkart increases folding carton business to an extent. Now retailer in a particular region could use e-commerce platforms to easily access customers in any part of the country to deliver products. This is how the retail sector gets growing, so is the packaging segment and digital printing.
What are you showcasing at PAMEX 2020?
Puneet: PAMEX has always turned out to be a good platform to showcase our complete portfolio of machines and printing solutions. Our showcase at the PAMEX 2020 booth is focusing on different segments, such as commercial printing, packaging, software solutions and others. But the key highlight is of our range of imagePRO Series printers. There will be live demos of the machines, sample gallery, etc. After all, we are showing the competency of the printers and how it could take business of our customers to another level.