Inkjet technology will grow in the future: Atul Thakker

Drupa to Drupa (I know it’s been eight years), what are the labels and packaging market trends, trends in book POD, photo segments? Any special insights about the Indian market?

The printing industry has seen big growth in digital production printing from the packaging sector and POD printing post-Covid. The newer business growth in these sectors has made a significant contribution to our business. We hope this trend will continue to grow as these sectors have started accepting digital production printing as an alternate option.

What are the ways by which the Indian printing industry can leverage these trends?

Indian printing industry can gain new business opportunities through these sectors as many offset customers are growing their business in digital printing.

The ongoing shift to digital printing and rapid advancements in printing technology necessitates significant capital investments. Do you see the print and packaging companies tweaking their investment plans, especially with Drupa 2024?

Yes, Drupa is the platform for those packaging companies to step forward in the digital production of products.

How do we measure success when it comes to labels and packaging?

It comes with the acceptance from the end customers of label or tag printers and Ricoh products have shown capabilities and there is a positive acceptance from this sector for our new products.

Your company will be showcasing new products and some upgrades at Drupa. Which showcases do you think is important for India, and why?

Ricoh will be launching the new series sheetfed Inkjet printer Z75 in the future along with the continuous feed inkjet printers VC 40000, VC 60000 and VC 80000. This is in addition to the current offerings in the digital production printers’ lineup in the cut sheet category.

Why do shorter product cycles equal big opportunities? How does your technology help?

Ricoh production printers are versatile in media handling, highly reliable and productive with the latest technologies. So, capitalising the opportunity in the shorter product cycles is an advantage for us. Certainly, inkjet technology will grow in the future and newer products in the technology will be the focus of many OEMs. Minosha is gearing up for the newer inkjet cutsheet product Ricoh Z75 in this segment as we are already handling the continuous feed inkjet printers from Ricoh.

In India, book publishing is a growing segment, and POD is a growing trend. The PSPs are looking for affordable options, be it offset or digital. How are your products placed in the publishing industry? What next?

We have many of our mono and colour cut sheet printers installed in the POD segment and those are successful. We are expanding this segment through the newer product lines launched in cut sheet toner-based production printers and also the continuous feed inkjet printers Ricoh Pro VC80000.

Brands are asking for customisation, sustainability, quality assurance, consistency in colour and finish, and technically-fit machinery. Print and packagers are under tremendous pressure – to deliver what brands want but at a price fixed by the brands. What will be your advice to them in India?

Ricoh products meet the printing requirements of these customers with the technologies and features of the products. They are consistent in quality and easy to operate, making more suitable products for their needs.