UV case-study: GM Offset

Govind Arora of GM Offset says the company is using LED UV curing at its Komori GL press and cures four-colour jobs at the speed of 11,000-12,000 sph. “We are producing 50,000 sheets of drip-off UV coating in 24 hours,” he says.

He adds, “For better results on UV, a printer must go for anilox coater machine with extended delivery and semi-automatic plate changer. Alpna is equipped with Italian EPS systems, butterfly valve system and modern feature for power saving. We chose Alpna because of its good feedback from the market, excellent after-sales service and unique and complete offerings. No one in the market can offer what Alpna does.”

Arora explains that LED curing is faster than UV but availability of LED printing ink is difficult, especially for special colours. “The price difference is around Rs 500 per kg between UV and LED, and electricity saving doesn’t make much sense on LED. For heat-sensitive substrates, LED is the best technology. Printing substrates curves in UV because of temperature of 960-degrees, but not in LED because of 20- to 30-degrees of temperature,” he adds.

Meanwhile, GM’s business has grown around 25% because of UV and LED. After the lockdown, the company restarted its operations in July and right now, it is 100% streamlined, with usual diaries and calendars being printed. “We are printing one lakh calendars for a client,” Arora says.

Jasgur Singh, the second-generation of the family-owned business has joined the company full-time. He is a computer engineer from IP University, New Delhi, and says that he is working towards the process to make it smooth and hassle-free.

In future, GM Offset is looking for greenfield expansion, either in New Delhi or Baddi. The new unit will be 100% packaging-oriented and will be equipped with 28x40-inch machines. Right now, GM’s business is 80% packaging and 20% commercial print production. The company has around 50 machines working in round-the-clock operation.