The print industry urgently needs new approaches. One suggestion you have about what is needed next?
The time lapse between the incoming jobs till it’s final output is a major concern in the industry. This mainly happens because of outsourcing jobs due to the lack of in-house facilities.

Anything more?
In addition to this, quality also becomes an issue when the job is outsourced. So, an approach to implement everything under one roof is hugely beneficial. It also gives the leisure to experiment and develop a number of outputs and also try something new and innovative.

Is there a limit to the technological “fixes”, should machine manufacturers have a broader approach?
The implementation of the computer to press systems. It will reduce a lot of additional costs of the plates and machine downtime, amongst others.  The machine manufacturer should focus on how to increase the profitability and productivity, by researching on raw material innovation and intermittent parts.

Which launch made you go, WOW! – A Packaging related one, a Printing related one or the OOH Launch?
A campaign by Dunkin’ Donut’s where they placed air fresheners in public places. This used to emit a coffee bean fragrance to attract the people. The air freshener was placed along with a radio which used to jingle in sync when the fragrance. This campaign boosted the sales of Dunkin ‘Donuts by 30%.

One major packaging-print blunder you spotted in 2019?
Paper conditioning is not known to everyone and hence when we print and keep it for a longer time in a different space, the paper tends to increase and expands it absorbs moisture resulting into changes in paper size. When this paper is put on a die punching machine, the exact blanks aren’t achieved.   

A software trick or a tech app everyone in our industry should know about.
Management Information System (MIS) with live tracking of jobs, GPS for every on job employee, real-time stock inventory management, access of all reports on a single click, and a live ordering application operated through it for a new job as well as an old job. Basically, it’s an all-in-one process.

A Print or Packaging factory you visited which blew your brain! Why so?
Replika Press in Kundli. This press was established in 1948 with a motto of “Growing with the customer”. The factories are located on an area of 6-lakh square feet.  It manufactures rigid box for companies such as Oppo and Vivo, amongst others.  They produce approximately 100,000 rigid boxes per day. The best thing about this press is they are equipped with all the latest ISO certifications and it is accredited with SAP, BSCI SEDA certification. Replika has been awarded by associations all over India for its build and consistency. Replika has more than 15 printing machines such as Heidelberg, KBA, Mitsubishi, along with an excellent working environment and well-equipped pre-press and post-press facilities. This ensures they are among the largest book exporters for premium quality books from India.   

One book about print or packaging that you have read which is a must read according to you?
The Big Book of Packaging: Science, Art & Technology Book by Sandeep Kumar Goyal. This book is a comprehensive guide for understanding packaging technology. This book features topics like plastics, metal, glass, printing, and pulp and paper technology. It also features a combined data on each topic which is not readily available. In addition, the book has graphical representations (tables, charts) to make difficult concepts easily understandable. It consists of a section on troubleshooting, where problems pertaining to each process, its reason and the possible solution are given.