Nikunj Malavania, director at the firm, observes that flexo is growing in all segments such as labels, flexible packaging and corrugation. He says that packaging jobs for wide and mid web are moving from gravure to flexo presses.

"Similarly, offset jobs are moving to flexo in the narrow web space. This is a good opportunity for printers looking to invest in flexo and pre-press providers," he adds. "The shift of packaging jobs to flexo is also supported by food-grade inks and a growing trend for shorter-run jobs. The ink densities and accurate ink laydown that our customers achieve with Kodak Flexcel NX plates is unmatched across the industry,
especially when we look at film-based print jobs."

Challenging jobs
Speaking about the latest experience with one of his customers, Malavania explains: "Recently, we did a job with our customer for a leading FMCG player. Due to the ongoing lockdown we didn’t have a physical shade-card from the client for matching colour. We only had a market sample as reference, from which our team matched to create the job, including analysing the dot angle and achieving the right pre-press setup. The result was commended by the client and the outcome was positive."

Meanwhile, Malavania also asserts that with Kodak Flexcel NX technology, "there are many 'Aha' moments we see on a regular basis". "This is especially true for customers who have been producing flexo print jobs with LAMs plates or those currently using the gravure process,  who work with us to do a print trial with the Flexcel NX plates and visibly notice the improvement in quality coupled with our service," he adds.

Growth potential
Malavania also advises that as an industry, we must have confidence in the business environment in short- to mid-term. "Packaging is amongst the fastest movers as the lockdown relaxations come into play for different states and territories. So there is definitely strong growth potential for essential as well as non-essential products.

"As the markets reopen to their previous levels and logistics networks normalise, we will be in a good place. India’s export potential is also on the rise, which will bring benefit to the industry."