The panel comprised of Denver Annunciation of Janus International, Jinesh Mehta of Utility Print Pack, Krunal Shah of Award Packaging and Tushar Bhotica, director at Shree Arun Packaging.

Khanna expressed the need to do away with monopoly in the pre-press in packaging, saying, “We need alternatives. There were some interesting alternatives at Drupa as far as structural design of packaging, colour management systems; web-based inspection systems pertaining to packaging are concerned.”

The main focus of the discussion was the intrusion of digital technology in post-press as well as converting operations.

Jinesh Mehta threw light on the pressroom innovations at Drupa which included low energy curing systems, inline foiling systems and inspection systems. He discussed the pros and cons of LE, LEC, LED and H-UV curing systems expressing concerns about the heavy cost of UV inks, environmental hazards and migration issues.

Tushar Bhotica discussed the post-press developments related to packaging at Drupa. “The Chinese were present as exhibitors and not as visitors. The die-cutters, folder-gluers and other post-press equipment from the Chinese manufacturers were cheaper and worth investing as they used the same technology which has ruled the world for years,” said Bhotica.

Digital spot UV (without screen) and printed electronics using offset machine were the developments for future that were observed at Drupa.

Kunal Shah briefed the audience about the colour management profiles and pros and cons of printing pharmaceutical labels digitally. Highcon die-cutter which uses UV for creasing and laser for cutting was an interesting subject, according to Shah.

The digital technology for packaging was discussed by Annunciation. He said, “The challenge for running digital was that though the pre-press and press are digital the post-press and converting is not digital, hence a job gets stuck. At this Drupa, we saw new digital high-speed converting machines like Scodix and Highcon.” Denver suggested a solution of making strategic tie-ups with non-competing printers to get the benefits of digital technology.

The panellist agreed to the fact that digital was making an impact as commercial printers are moving towards packaging. The new entrants need to have their finance in place if they want to grow said one of the panellist.

The other developments discussed were laser engraved flexo plates, gravure sleeves, combination press for labels by convergence of offset and flexo and Braille printing.

Ian Scott, managing director GMG and Peter Rego, sales manager, Heidelberg India, who supported DI Impressions also made presentations on their perspective of Drupa 2012.


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