Harishankar’s presentation titled ‘Innovations in digital printing: unlimited possibilities’, discussed the micro piezo technology citing its features and technological developments since 1993, when Epson’s first micro piezo printhead was used in Epson Stylus 800.

“Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the technology is moving into its next generation with further innovations. In March 1993, Epson launched the first Stylus 800, the first inkjet printer to use micro piezo technology. In 2013, Epson is marking 20 years of this groundbreaking technology” said Harishankar.

Explaining its working, Harishankar, said, “The printhead operates in such a way that ink is expelled due to change in shape of a piezo element on application of voltage. The electromechanically controlled printhead doesn’t require heat. Each nozzle fires over 40,000 times per second. Also, the multi size dot technology ensures fine tonal gradations.”

Harishankar cited the challenges that are posed before digital printers today and advised them to turn these challenges into opportunities by working smarter. “We are experiences bottlenecks in finding creative ways to differentiate the brands and products with packaging. The products should deliver higher shelf appeal while grabbing consumer attention. Again there is a pressure of environmental impact,” added Harishankar. He further added that on the top of all this, there is always a pressure to increase sales and profit.

Harishankar then gave a quick comparative snapshot of time consuming analogue and fast and efficient digital workflow. “Digital printing eliminates the need of plates and the lengthy press set-up. It is a cost effective solution for short-run and variable data jobs. With digital printing, you have the luxury of combining two or three jobs into one until the run lengths are same,” said Harishankar.

Adding to the benefits of digital printing, he said, “Also, unlike flexographic printing where spot colours are generally used, digitally printed labels are always produced from a mixture of six colours CMYK, orange and green and optional white.”

All these features of digital printing are then translated to the brand owners in form of marketing benefits. Harishankar explained, “They can launch as many micro-segmented SKUs, which also adds up opportunities in personalised and customised packaging. There is reduction in wastage in makereadies as well as waste from obsolescence. Again brand protection and anti-counterfeiting can be achieved and ability to track and trace becomes more robust.”

Saying so, Harishankar introduced Epson’s SurePress digital label press. He said, “This innovative press is so versatile that it can print off-the shelf substrates, direct from the manufacturer, with no pre-treatment or pre-coating required. It prints on variety of media like gloss, semi-gloss, matte, film, and clear and metallic substrates.” Sai Packaging commissioned India’s first Epson Surepress L-4033AW for its Bengaluru printing facility in 2012.

Concluding his presentation, Harishankar highlighted testimonials from some of Epson’s customers in UK and France.