How Pragati and Silverpoint won big at Asian Print Awards — The Noel D’Cunha Sunday Column

Pragati Group shines with innovation and craftsmanship
Pragati Group continues to set benchmarks in the print industry, earning accolades across diverse categories. At the Asian Print Awards 2024, Pragati won six awards. Each award-winning project reflects their mastery of design, technology, and precision, from the vibrant A Thousand Shadows to the luxurious SKINN carton and the intricately detailed Pragati Calendar 2024-2025.

Pragati’s chairman, Narendra Paruchuri, shares how the award-winning projects were produced. We think Pragati’s commitment to excellence and timely delivery underpins its reputation as a leader in print innovation.

The Manasa Weds Veerendar invitation box
The Manasa Weds Veerendar invitation box stands as a refined example of thoughtful design and precision craftsmanship, blending functional elements with an eye for detail to create a truly memorable piece.

The box’s outer and inner panels feature a four-colour print on 170-gsm matt paper, finished with matt lamination and adorned with hot gloss gold foil for a sophisticated visual effect. A die-cut design and full gum pasting ensure seamless assembly, while the 1.8mm Kappa board provides structural stability and a premium feel.

Inside the box, a partition board designed to hold dry fruits is crafted from a 350-gsm SBS (solid bleached sulfate) board, printed in four colours and finished with matt lamination. A tracing sheet (140-gsm) is applied on top of the partition, complemented by a gold ribbon to elegantly lift the invitation card.

The top of the box is built in layers to create a striking visual impact. A base layer of metallic Sona Paper Stardream Antique Gold (285-gsm) is topped with a four-colour printed sheet on a new Sona Paper substrate with thickness of 280-gsm. This top layer features intricate laser cutting and gold hot foil embellishments, showcasing meticulous attention to detail.

The invitation card itself reflects the same level of precision. Built on a sturdy 2.5mm Kappa board, it is layered with a 300-gsm CFB (corrugated fibre board), matt MetPET sheet, over which a four-colour printed 280-gsm new card with gloss gold foil and laser-cut elements is applied. The reverse side is finished with plain 120-gsm Maplitho paper, while gold gilding along the edges adds a luxurious touch.

With a production quantity of 500 units, this invitation box exemplifies the art of integrating premium materials and advanced finishing techniques to create a bespoke product that is both functional and visually impressive. It is a testament to the power of design in making moments memorable.

The Ramco Cement wall calendar
The Ramco Cement wall calendar is a blend of functionality and refined design, tailored to reflect the brand’s identity with precision and style.

Comprising 12 sheets, a fly leaf, and a sturdy black Wire-O binding, the calendar is packaged in a durable three-ply corrugated carton to ensure safe delivery. Each sheet is printed on a 300-gsm Royal Matt Art Card, offering a premium finish and excellent durability.

The calendar is brought to life with a seven-colour print process, combining CMYK with two shades of green and orange. The use of online gloss and duct matt UV coatings enhances the visual appeal, while micro-embossing adds a tactile dimension, creating a striking interplay of texture and finish.

Produced in a limited quantity of 1,050 units printed on KBA 105 press, the Ramco Cement wall calendar is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design, serving as both a functional item and a reflection of brand excellence.

The TTD Calendar
The TTD Calendar exemplifies premium design and functionality, crafted to meet high standards of quality and durability.

Featuring six sheets and a fly leaf bound with a sturdy white Wire-O, the calendar is securely packaged in a three-ply corrugated carton for safe distribution. Sheets printed on a 300-gsm Royal Art card, give a robust structure and ensure superior print quality. - changed this a bit to read different from the previous section

The five-colour printing process (CMYK + white) is complemented by online gloss and duct matt UV coatings, offering a refined finish that highlights the vibrant colours. Additional enhancements such as metal transfer and micro-embossing add depth and sophistication, creating a visually engaging product.

With a production run of 20,000 units, the TTD Calendar combines practicality with elegant design, making it a distinctive and widely distributed piece that reflects the care and precision invested in its creation.

A Thousand Shadows

The production of A Thousand Shadows is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, transforming it into a sophisticated publication.

The book features a hardcover binding, ensuring durability while offering a premium tactile experience. The cover is finished with scratch-proof matt lamination, providing a refined look that also protects against wear. Inside, the endpapers are adorned with an embossed compass, an embellishment that subtly elevates the book's design and connects with its thematic elements.

Printed on high-quality Rendezvous paper from Samwha, the book combines texture and readability, enhancing the reader's experience. The precision of the print process is ensured with the use of the Komori Lithrone press, known for its excellence in delivering sharp and consistent results.

With a limited print run of 750 copies, A Thousand Shadows exemplifies the art of post-press finishing and design, resulting in a product that resonates with quality and attention to detail.

Pragati Calendar 2024-2025
The Pragati Calendar 2024-2025 combines cutting-edge techniques with premium materials to create a visually striking and functional product.

Crafted using paper sourced from renowned vendors—BILT, Sona Papers, and Kraftile Papers—the calendar highlights the synergy of quality materials and advanced printing technologies. The post-press process incorporates screen printing, gravure, and cold foil applications, elevating the design with intricate enhancements.

Embellishments include extended gamut printing for vibrant colour reproduction, complemented by inline gloss, matt, and textured varnishes. Screen printing techniques add layers of raised, gloss, and metallic finishes, while gravure pearlescent gold and cold foil applications introduce a luxurious sheen. The calendar is finished with a sturdy Wire-O binding, ensuring durability and ease of use.

With a production run of 4,000 units printed on the Komori 729 and KBA 76 presses, the Pragati Calendar 2024-2025 stands as a benchmark in innovative design and sophisticated execution, showcasing the possibilities of print and post-press excellence.

SKINN Carton

The SKINN Carton exemplifies the integration of premium materials and advanced finishing techniques to deliver a packaging solution that is both functional and visually striking.

Constructed from 400-gsm CFB, the carton ensures durability while maintaining a refined appearance. Printed in three colours, the design is enhanced with velvet film lamination, adding a smooth, luxurious feel. Rose gold hot foil stamping introduces an element of sophistication, while a sand-effect textured spot UV varnish adds depth and tactile interest.

Further elevating the design is the use of 3D embossing, which brings select elements to life, creating a striking visual and physical experience.

With a production quantity of 30,000 units printed on Komori press, the SKINN Carton demonstrates how meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design can transform packaging into a statement of elegance and quality.

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Silverpoint's award-winning precision and creativity
Silverpoint reaffirms its stature as a leader in print excellence with gold and silver wins across digital and offset categories at the Asian Print Awards 2024. The engaging Four Magazine and the intricately crafted Maximus showcase the company’s ability to merge creative design with flawless execution.

Silverpoint's managing director, Shabbir Muchhala, shares how the award-winning projects were produced. Whether meeting colour-critical challenges or achieving consistency across pages, Silverpoint’s expertise and dedication to quality continue to impress clients and the industry alike

Taj Magazine wins bronze in sheet-fed offset magazine category
The Taj Magazine has secured a Bronze award in the Sheet-fed Offset Magazine category, a testament to its vibrant design, impeccable execution, and the skill of the Silverpoint team.

Produced using a Heidelberg LX 5-colour press with online coating, the magazine features a four-colour print on premium materials. The cover is printed on 280-gsm Natural Evolution paper from Sona Commercial, while the text pages utilise 130-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper. Post-press enhancements include gold foil stamping and section-sewn perfect binding, adding sophistication and durability to the final product.

The Silverpoint team managed to deliver the first batch of the 280-page magazine in record time—two days for planning and a total of five days to deliver—to Delhi. A quantity of 15,000 copies was produced within the tight schedule.

The job demanded precision, particularly for the double-spread pages. These included critical spreads between the inside front and back covers. Proper imposition planning ensured perfect alignment in colour, folding, and binding, reflecting the meticulous approach taken by the team.

What makes the Taj Magazine truly stand out is its vibrant and colourful design, which captivated the judges and highlighted the team’s ability to produce a visually engaging publication.

The client and design team were thrilled with the award which  further solidified the magazine’s reputation, adding to decades of recognition.

The Taj Magazine demonstrates what is possible when creativity meets technical expertise, and it stands as a benchmark in the realm of sheet-fed offset printing.

Wilder Nest wins silver in digital book printing
The Wilder Nest project earned a Silver award in the Digital Book Printing category, reflecting Silverpoint’s expertise in delivering quality under pressure.

Printed using the HP Indigo 12000 in a four-colour process, the book features 170-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper, chosen for its premium finish and print quality. The post-press work included gold foil stamping and section-sewn hard case binding, resulting in a durable and visually appealing product.

The primary challenge was the tight timeline, requiring meticulous coordination across printing and post-press stages. The recognition brought immense satisfaction to the client, who was delighted with the award. Their appreciation underscores the collaborative effort and precision involved in producing Wilder Nest.

This achievement highlights Silverpoint’s ability to handle demanding projects with skill and efficiency, setting a benchmark for digital book printing.

Four Magazine wins gold in digital magazine category
The Four Magazine has been awarded Gold in the Digital Magazine category, highlighting the Silverpoint team’s dedication to quality and innovation.

Printed using the HP Indigo 12000 in a four-colour process, the magazine combines durability with aesthetic appeal. The cover is printed on 300-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper, while the text pages use 170-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper, ensuring consistency in texture and print quality. Post-press enhancements, including thermal matt lamination and section perfect binding, lend a polished finish to the final product.

The production team faced the critical task of managing advertisements that demanded precise colour accuracy. Their expertise ensured that the final output met the exacting standards of both the client and advertisers.

The magazine’s layout and content are standout features, beautifully complementing its subject matter and making it both visually engaging and informative. The project moved swiftly, with production completed within four days following final approvals—a testament to the team’s efficiency and coordination. As a relatively new publication, the recognition was particularly gratifying for the design team, who were thrilled with the award. 

The Four Magazine sets a benchmark in digital magazine printing, blending design, precision, and quality to create an award-winning publication.

Maximus wins gold in book printing – four and more colours category
The Maximus project secured a Gold award in the Book Printing – Four & More Colours category, showcasing Silverpoint’s expertise in producing high-quality multi-colour print jobs.

Printed on a Heidelberg LX 5-colour press with online coating, the book features a four-colour print process on premium materials. The cover is crafted from 350-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper, while the text pages use 170-gsm Bilt Royal Matt paper, ensuring a consistent and professional finish. Post-press treatments, including thermal matt lamination, spot UV, and section perfect binding, add durability and visual appeal to the final product.

The most notable aspect of the project was maintaining colour and quality consistency across all pages—a challenging requirement for a multi-colour, high-volume job. Silverpoint’s meticulous attention to detail ensured this was accomplished seamlessly, elevating the overall quality of the book.

The Maximus project stands as a benchmark in offset book printing, combining advanced technology, skilled craftsmanship, and premium materials to deliver a product that exemplifies excellence in the industry.