Despite Drupa, 2012 will remain a big challenge, says Chandan Mishra of Gandy Digital

Domin8tor got a Drupa launch while Pred8tor was a showcase. Both the machines feature the patented blade technology with Ricoh Gen4 print heads and is arguably the only UV flatbed press in production class to incorporate the grey scale technology with variable dots. Both the products are configured for a four-colour and white channel with eight printheads per colour achieving a maximum print speed of 90 to 140 sq/mtrs per hour.

UV printing has been a reliable technology for wide-format industrial applications and it has grown tremendously over the last four-five years. The new head technology has enabled manufacturers like us to take the digital inkjet printing technology to the next level of quality, ink improvements and several applications.

The key factors are speed and quality and a proven ROI for printers to do both commercial and short run screen runs on the UV flatbed printing press.The most significant challenge was how to meet the demands of printers who were looking for machines at prices lesser than what most machine manufacturers were offering them for.

At Drupa 2012, Gandy Digital brought commercially available wide-format presses. In India we have already installed our first Pred8tor at Signwave in Pune, which is a specialist digital and solution providers in signage and graphics applications. A heartening fact about visitors at Drupa 2012 was that they came with plan to invest in new technologies with the intention of either to expand or diversifying their offerings.
Gandy achieved 10 confirmed sales orders from print service providers in Europe and Asian countries for both the products.

For example we signed more than four deals in Belgium itself during the show, which has given a huge boost to our business in Europe. We got several interested customers from India and we aim to close at least two deals in the near future.Given the boost to our business and with over 40 printers installed after the Pred8tor launch at Fespa in Hamburg, we are aiming to reach an installation base of 100 by the end of this year, with at least five in India.

There is no doubt that inkjet will continue to grow in every aspect of printing from large-format to label to traditional offset and transpromo, regardless of Drupa. Inkjet offers opportunity to expand the scope of printing in terms of productivity and quality.

Of course there are challenges in investment in developing these technology from concept to fully tested version. But Drupa 2016 will see every manufacturer of printing machines or print service providers making a significant move towards inkjet technologies. For our business segment of large-format industrial printers with UV will continue to grow and will evolve more in terms print quality and productivity.Benny Landa’s nano printing and KBA’s Rotojet76 have been very exciting developments.

Several inkjet printhead manufacturers too have promised to bring many new technologies to inkjet has been the other key highlights of Drupa. Other than these I was excited to see many finishing solutions from enveloping/finishing to seamless work flow solutions.Despite Drupa, 2012 will remain a big challenge as there is already a huge pressure on import cost increase because of rupee falling and high interest cost coupled with falling volumes.

Looking beyond, I think India is poised to witness faster growth in terms of printer placements and print volume from 2013 onwards as on when we have a favourable business environment for both investment and growth. 

My takeaway: This Drupa has brought in new thoughts and focuses for printing companies and manufacturers to helps to grow the business.