FEATURES

There were two of them. A carton, laminated, finished in a lacquer coating that caught the light in a way people in the industry call "shelf pop." And a container, plain, made of HDPE, the kind of thing no one photographs.

Partners of the PrintWeek Awards 2026 explore how changing customer demands are driving new approaches to digital print, packaging, automation, substrates, finishing and production. Read on…

Across the third and fourth days of the PrintWeek Awards 2026 Jury Meet, Jurors found themselves judging much more than print. They found packaging that wanted to be touched, opened, reused, microwaved, admired and even exported. The message was unmistakable: the pack is no longer merely carrying the brand. Increasingly, it is the brand

Asepto’s automated facility at Ain Sokhna will double the company’s annual aseptic packaging capacity to 24 billion packs and provide faster access to Europe, Africa, MENA, the CIS and the Americas. Commercial production is expected to commence by the end of 2026

In this exclusive write-up for PrintWeek, Debashish Dutta, assistant vice-president, marketing and sales (liquid packaging), Parksons Packaging, explains how India’s packaging industry is responding to growing environmental concerns, evolving regulations, and changing consumer expectations

The facility, which became operational in January 2026, is expected to become fully functional by June 2026, Krish Chhatwal of Kwality Labels, tells Rahul Kumar

Ashna Chhatwal, interior designer, Studio Enligne, shares the vision behind Kwality Labels.

How a Bengaluru startup convinced India’s printers, postcard buyers and government bodies that print’s future is only just beginning, Sai Deepthi finds out

Founder and CEO Nilesh Dhankani explains how Quarterfold Printabilities' latest investments: including the addition of a 1,10,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility, four brand new sheetfed presses and an integrated 80,000-sq-ft fulfilment centre are part of a broader strategy to help publishers build more resilient supply chains, while expanding the company's presence beyond Africa into Europe, the UK and the USA. Prabhat Prakash reports.

As Automation Partner, Pune’s Pratham Technologies is pushing the conversation beyond men and machines towards measurable gains in productivity, quality and traceability

On Janmashtami morning in Mumbai, the PrintWeek Awards Jury Meet concluded with spirited debate and sharp insights as panellists judged FMCG, F&B and pharma packaging entries

Across the first two days of judging, the PrintWeek Awards 2026 jury found an Indian print industry increasingly confident in craft, adventurous with technology and, perhaps most importantly, rediscovering the power of physical experience

Make sustainability perform. Because if the replacement doesn't work as well, it will always remain an alternative. This was the motto behind the establishment of Pippa, a company engaged in manufacturing plastic-free bio-based coating materials. Rajath Shetty, founder of Pippa, tells Rahul Kumar

On the third day of the Jury Meet, the spotlight shifted to the Quality Awards categories that define the backbone of India’s packaging and print excellence: Label Printer of the Year, Packaging Converter of the Year (Rigid Box), Packaging Converter of the Year (Paper Bag), and Pre Media Company of the Year.

As Associate Partner, Suba Solutions returns to the PrintWeek Awards with a simple proposition: technology matters only when it makes a packaging business better

Continuing its support as co-sponsoring partner, Heidelberg says the next measure of print excellence will be how intelligently technology, people and processes work together

Srinivas Papers has once again supported the PrintWeek Awards 2026, highlighting substrate choice as a growing factor in print quality, differentiation and sustainability

Jury voices highlight creativity, craftsmanship and sustainability as the true differentiators on the second day of the Jury Meet for the PrintWeek Awards 2026

On the third day of the PrintWeek Awards 2026 Jury Meet, the esteemed panel of seven Jury members will look at Awards categories encompassing labels, flexibles, and rigid boxes

The PrintWeek Awards Jury Meet opened with industry experts scrutinising samples for precision, finesse and innovation, setting the benchmark for excellence in Indian print and publishing

This includes advanced technology, dependable raw materials, capable people, efficient processes, and strong customer partnerships, all working together to create a long-term competitive advantage, explain Baldev Garg, general manager, technology, water-based inks, Hubergroup and Pratip Dey, business head, water-based inks, Hubergroup, in an interview with Rahul Kumar

The next generation of the family business is balancing the company’s long-standing reputation with aggressive diversification into flexo packaging, electronics, and digital-driven systems. Rahul Kumar reports

As the PrintWeek Awards 2026 Breakfast Meet on 8 October at 9 am asks what growth means for India’s printing industry, a recent visit to Ahmedabad offered a practical answer. Growth is not simply a larger figure on the balance sheet. It is the deliberate choice of where to invest, which capabilities to add, and what kind of business a printer wants to become

Sustainability has evolved from a corporate initiative into a core business strategy. Consumers, investors, and regulators now expect brands to reduce their environmental footprint and adopt packaging that supports a circular economy.

The All India Printing Ink Manufacturers’ Association’s annual gathering in Mumbai combined financial updates, regulatory advocacy, expert keynotes and panel discussions, with a strong call to build next-generation ink brands

Monotech Systems says the next phase of print excellence will be defined by technology, applications and the ability to create greater value

Col (hon) Prof (Dr) Rajendrakumar Anayath, vice-chancellor, Maharshi Valmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal, Haryana (India) reviews the book Imprint of a Printer: A Life Etched in the Evolution of Indian Printing by PPS Gill

Thirty-five years after starting with a small screen-printing unit, M Palani is expanding Subam Printers with a larger factory, a new Komori Lithrone press and a growing packaging ambition. His son, Surya, is preparing to take that journey forward, with technology bridging the two generations. This case study from Sivakasi traces the story of a printing business preparing to reinvent itself without losing sight of the values on which it was built. Read on….

Digital Print Asia began with a question after Drupa 2024. Tushar Dhote traces how that conversation became an industry platform, and why its next chapter must focus on applications, economics and the business of digital print

Kerala's printers have mastered the machine. Now they must master the market

The future belongs to converters who adopt a holistic approach towards print quality. High-quality corrugated printing is no longer determined by the printing plate alone; it is the result of optimising the entire print ecosystem, says Muralidhar Nalli, CEO, Digiflex, a flexographic pre-press solutions provider, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

By implementing standardised plate-making procedures, colour management practices, and press optimisation techniques, converters can significantly improve quality consistency while reducing waste and downtime, says Roy Schoettle, vice president, sales APAC, XSYS, Thailand, in an interview with Rahul Kumar

After decades of investing in faster machines, India's corrugated box industry is turning its attention to something less visible but equally important: information. Sangeet Gupta and Puneet Gupta of Faridabad-based Finsys ERP Software, explain why operational discipline is becoming the sector's most valuable asset.

Vivek Mukherjee, manager marketing, Samadhan, explains how Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central connects finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, manufacturing, and customer service into a single platform, and how Samadhan brings corrugation expertise and industry best practices.

In corrugation business you can address up to a distance of 300-km or sometimes even less, and just-in-time delivery is the essence of the game, says Venugopal Menon of Bobst in a conversation with Rahul Kumar.

Bijendra Sharma, managing director, BHS Corrugated India, shares his views on industry growth, automation, AI, sustainability, customer profitability, and why India's corrugators must focus on technology and process excellence to remain competitive, in an interaction with Rahul Kumar.

India's commercial digital printing market is expanding, but growth is far from uniform. As digital presses become faster, smarter and more productive, competitive advantage is shifting beyond hardware. Success increasingly depends on identifying new applications, building efficient workflows, creating demand and helping customers solve business problems. Ahead of the HP–PrintWeek Commercial Segment Webinar on 21 August 2026, PrintWeek examines why the next phase of digital printing is about business transformation as much as technology

Exhibitors today recognise exhibitions as strategic investments rather than one-time marketing activities, while buyers visit with clear sourcing and business objectives, says Raj Manek, executive director and board member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

MEX Exhibitions’ strategic alliance with Messe Frankfurt India and the launch of Paperworld Delhi represent a new chapter for Gifts World Expo, Himani Gulati, director, MEX Exhibitions, explains to Rahul Kumar

Long-standing Awards partner says the next phase of growth will belong to printers combining automation, intelligent workflows, colour discipline and skilled talent

As a Partner of the PrintWeek Awards 2026, TechNova Imaging Systems believes innovation in printing rarely happens in isolation; it is inherently a collaborative endeavour

As an associate partner of the PrintWeek Awards 2026, Super Bond Adhesives says the best print and packaging jobs are often defined by the decisions customers never see

As Paper Partner of the PrintWeek Awards 2026, specialty paper specialist Sona Papers believes first tactile impression of a product often happens before the box is even opened

Associate partner, Kridwinn Innovations says the future belongs to printers combining digital production, intelligent workflows and locally engineered technologies

As the sponsor of the Digital Photo Album category at the PrintWeek Awards 2026, Druck & Bindung says finishing has become the most important element of the print process

The most sustainable manufacturing process is one that minimises waste, optimises resource utilisation, and maximises output quality, say Chandrashekhar Dhote and Kapil Dev, directors, Druckncut India in an interview with Rahul Kumar.

In this exclusive writeup, Chiranjeevi Sastry, sales director, Emba Machinery, shares a first-hand experience on the evolution of the Indian corrugation industry.

The future is a PLC controlled, sensor driven machine that takes a design file and prints it with zero manual setup, says Riddhi Shah of Printpack Engineers. She tells Rahul Kumar that, "In our experience, the cheapest option is rarely the most economical one. A supplier who's honest about what a price can deliver is worth more than one who agrees to everything."

It minimises production errors, reduce rework, and lower material consumption, Puranjit Sarangi of TechNova Imaging Systems, tells Rahul Kumar.

This enables economical short-run productions and rapid prototyping, says Prasanna Venkatesh of Zund India, in an interview with Rahul Kumar.

Corrugators need to focus on the long-term return on investment and the actual running costs rather than just the initial price tag, says Kunal Gandhi of CGSASP, in an interview with Rahul Kumar

For short-run production of packaging solutions, digital cutting tables can facilitate the requirement, Brijesh Puri, founder, Packnology tells Rahul Kumar

Anupam Agarwal of Amity Paper & Board says the fundamental question facing the industry is whether it can transition from a volume-driven business to a value-driven ecosystem focused on performance, innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness. The answer to this question will determine the future trajectory of the Indian corrugation industry.

The brown box, the workhorse of the global supply chain, is at a breaking point in India, and battle lines are drawn between old-guard manufacturers, nimble innovators, and a flood of Chinese kit.

Graphicdesigns' in-house capability leaves little room for excuses with its end-to-end print solutions.

From mono-material packaging to meaningful conversations, Mayuri Dhigade, specialist, customer service and sales support, Huhtamaki India, opens up about her journey, inspirations, and vision for a sustainable future.

Druck & Bindung Machinery’s latest installation at US-based BindTech Roswell demonstrates how engineering excellence, enduring customer relationships and world-class after-sales support have transformed an India-engineered machine into a trusted manufacturing solution

India's corrugated packaging industry is entering a defining phase of its evolution. Once characterised by fragmented production, manual processes and price-led competition, it is steadily transforming into an industry driven by engineering, automation, digitalisation and customer collaboration. Corrugated packaging is no longer judged solely by its ability to protect products in transit. It is increasingly expected to strengthen supply chains, enhance brand experience, improve sustainability and create measurable business value. Drawing on conversations with industry leaders from across the corrugation value chain, this report examines the twenty trends that will shape the industry's next decade

Arundas CH, managing director, Kapstone Industries, tells Rahul Kumar, how the company is gradually adopting digital data collection and performance monitoring, enabling better decision-making through real-time production insights.

At Corrucase, the goal is to become a packaging partner rather than just a packaging converter, says Ayush Khetan, director, Corrucase, in an interview with Rahul Kumar

It has a direct impact on manufacturing costs and profitability, say Anantha Shayana and Pramod Shayana of Best Corrugators, in an interview with Rahul Kumar

Once viewed as mere brown cartons for transport, corrugated packaging has evolved into a strategic business enabler. As India's INR 40,000-crore corrugation industry races toward double-digit growth, the sector is redefining itself through sustainability, automation, and value-added innovation.

Every August, the global literary community turns its focus toward a historically overlooked segment of world literature: women writing in languages other than English. In India, a nation defined by its vast linguistic tapestry, Women in Translation Month carries a particularly resonant imperative.

Fogra PSObasic certification by Orange Printers represents more than an individual accomplishment. It reflects a broader industry transition toward scientific process control, quantifiable quality, and internationally benchmarked standards. As Indian print buyers increasingly demand consistency and predictability, process certification is evolving from a niche distinction into a significant competitive advantage

Strategic diversification, mergers and acquisitions, expansion, and sustainable initiatives seen in the Q1 reports of JK Paper and Emami Paper Mills

An analysis of recent developments in the Indian print and packaging market points to domestic growth, automation integration, and strategic industry evolution

For years, digital printing in flexible packaging was viewed as a specialist technology suited to prototypes, mock-ups and short production runs. Conventional wisdom held that once volumes increased, gravure would inevitably take over. Conversations at a gathering of brand owners, converters and technology suppliers in Bengaluru on 20 July 2026 titled Spectal Edge, suggest that that assumption is beginning to change. Divya Subramaniam and Noel D’Cunha find out why

Vimal Parmar urged photographers and print service providers to look beyond wedding albums and build new business through consumer photo books, school photography, coffee-table books and personalised print

Speaking at the Redington Vertical Congress- HP Industrial VIP event, the PrintWeek and WhatPackaging managing editor said digital printing has reached a tipping point as brands demand shorter runs, faster turnaround, personalisation and lower inventories

Edale flexographic technology has helped UK converter Labelnet reduce waste, shorten lead times and support 120% turnover growth while maintaining production efficiency

How is IPAMA transforming India's largest printing and packaging exhibition into a global business destination? Rahul Kumar explains

During the Redington Vertical Congress- HP Industrial VIP event held in Chennai, Appadurai stressed on how HP Indigo is redefining the space through technology and sustainability

Having exited commercial printing nearly two decades ago, Indore-based Vijayshri Packaging has quietly built one of central India's leading paper-packaging businesses. Director Pritesh Jain explains why disciplined investment and measured expansion continue to shape the company's growth

As part of the Book Publishing Course hosted by National Book Trust (NBT), India, the 22 cohorts took a field trip to Thomson Press in Faridabad on 8 July 2026, accompanied by NBT officer-in-charge Rubin DCruz. Shubhra, one of the participants, shares her experience with PrintWeek

The company’s strongest gains have come from acquiring new customers, particularly in non-metro markets, across aqueous large-format printing and cut-sheet toner-based production printing, says Puneet Datta, senior director, commercial and industrial printing, Canon, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

Domestic flexible packaging manufacturers have expanded production capacity through greenfield installations, cross-border infrastructure, and corporate acquisitions to address technical compliance parameters and target higher financial milestones across the sector, writes Kamakshi Fernandes

Integrating front-end storefronts with backend print MIS and ERP infrastructure removes manual administrative workflows to protect profit margins across commercial, apparel, and packaging operations, writes Pratik Shah, creative head, PrintXpand, in this exclusive piece

As digital disruption and Hindi dominance squeeze regional-language books, a stubborn cluster of Pune and Mumbai publishers is rewriting its own story

After rebuilding from adversity, Anupama Printing Solutions has made one of India's earliest investments in the Xsys ThermoFlexX 80S and Catena E 80 platform. Rahul Kumar speaks to Sachit Katyal about technology, customer value and why the future of flexography depends on more than faster plate-making

As the Indian graphic communications market shifts from low-margin commodity work to premium production, Rahul Kumar examines how Fujifilm’s new Revoria Experience Centre in Faridabad is leveraging AI automation and CMYK-plus technology to transform commercial printers into high-value packaging partners

In this exclusive column for PrintWeek, Shammi Manik, CEO, New Saraswati House, a wholly owned subsidiary of S Chand and Company, explains how the ongoing implementation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the latest CBSE curriculum will shape the industry's trajectory over the next several years

KS Ramesh of Redington in conversation during a visit to the new and upgraded Redington Centre of Excellence for Digital Printing Solutions, explains how the centre is being used to develop applications, train operators, support print businesses and help brands to package their products

Achieving consistent coating laydown increasingly depends on how well the anilox specification, doctor blade system and cleaning strategy are aligned with the process, says Linda Reuter, marketing manager, Zecher Anilox

Aniloxes manufactured with premium ceramic leads to less downtime matching colour because of porosity, less waste because of consistency between rolls, and longevity due to how the rolls are manufactured, say Namah Raval, Richard Hernandez,and Andrew Latosek

From energy savings to reduced heat generation, CP Paul of APL Machinery highlights the factors accelerating the transition towards LED UV curing systems

As converters demand tighter coating tolerances and reduced waste, Prashant Salunkhe, printing application manager, Apex Asia Pacific, highlights the role of anilox technology in achieving predictable press performance

Michelman’s cup coatings success is not solely a chemistry story; it is a collaborative one, requiring alignment and coordinated action across the entire value chain. Steve Shifman of Michelman lays out the roadmap to Divya Subramaniam

From food-contact compliance to design-for-recycling, Piyush Gupta, business head, Cosmo Speciality Chemicals, discusses with Rahul Kumar the forces reshaping coating technologies

Tapas Mandal, head, R&D and application development, Toppan Speciality Films, discusses how film design is evolving to combine barrier performance, coating compatibility and recyclability

As sustainability targets and food contact regulations become more stringent, Manish Bhatia, CEO, DIC India, explains why coatings are being judged by their ability to deliver compliance, recyclability and performance in equal measure

As packaging shifts towards circular formats and stricter compliance norms, Paulo Vieira, packaging coatings and global key account technical director, Flint Group, discusses why chemistry innovation is closing the gap between performance and sustainability

Gilles Le Moigne, head of circular economy, Siegwerk outlines the role coatings play in replacing multi-material structures with circular alternatives

Ranganath Belagumba Venkatachalaiah, managing director, Stahl India, explains how coatings are being developed to support recyclability, regulatory compliance and high performance packaging

Anuj Agrawal of Texochem believes the future belongs to coatings that combine recyclability, process efficiency and cost competitiveness

Naveen Mishra, general manager, technology and corporate strategy, Toyo Ink Arets India, explains why coatings are increasingly being developed with recyclability, compliance, and end-of-life recovery in mind

Takahiro Kawamura of Mitsui Chemicals outlines how his company is aligning innovation with sustainability, regulation and demand for high-performance packaging solutions

The future of packaging will be shaped by sustainable coatings, new barrier technologies and closer collaboration across the supply chain. Jignesh Mehta of Mehta Petro Refineries shares his perspective on the trends driving change in the Indian coatings market

Consumables are the backbone of the printing and packaging industry, directly influencing the quality, productivity and overall production costs, say Ashish Sharma of Aarushi Agencies and Vishwas Dharm of Novurania

Growth remains important, but the Power 100 suggests the industry's leaders are increasingly focused on profitability, specialisation and long-term value creation. In the second part of this report, we examine how India's leading print, packaging, and publishing companies are redefining success in a more disciplined and competitive market

In this extract from ‘The Sunday Book Bazaar: Daryaganj and the Making of a Reading Public in Delhi’ by Kanupriya Dhingra, the author introduces some of the people behind the iconic Daryaganj book market in Delhi

As packaging shifts towards mono-material structures and circular design, Kulbhushan Malik, global business head, Cosmo Films, explains how advances in films, coatings, and barrier technologies are helping brands meet sustainability goals without compromising on performance