Nuflex Graphics partners with Kodak's Flexcel

Nuflex Graphics, one of the smart flexo plate producers in Western India, invested in a Kodak Flexcel NX system in 2019 to democratise high-quality pre-press for packaging, and meet the business demands of all packaging segments — narrow, mid- and wide-web.

02 Jan 2021 | By Aultrin Vijay

Nuflex is part-owned by Mumbai-based Numex Blocks, which brings over 30 years’ experience in flexo packaging pre-press

Nikhil Puntambekar, director at Nuflex Graphics said, “We want to democratise high-quality pre-press for packaging, because too many smaller brands think it’s only for the bigger players. We aim to make it available to every brand at a price-point that’s right for them. That will benefit everyone, elevating the industry through a better understanding of technology." Nuflex is part-owned by Mumbai-based Numex Blocks, which brings over 30 years’ experience in flexo packaging prepress to the partnership.

The Pune-based Nuflex Graphics, is expanding on the “sell on technology” principle adopted by the company since its formation in 2019. It’s a goal that every technology-based business aims for, and one that Nuflex is achieving, recording strong growth this year despite the challenging trading conditions created by a global pandemic.

In Nuflex’s case, the Kodak Flexcel NX System, supplied and supported by Miraclon has proved to be the right partner. The company offers customers large and small the same proposition: a complete pre-press solution, including press fingerprinting and trials as well as final plate imaging. “Smaller customers really welcome such an extensive package, because the smaller the business, the more support it needs to get to the next level,” said Puntambekar.

Nuflex’s offering has been shaped by Puntambekar’s understanding of local market conditions, and his strong links to the corrugated packaging sector. He identifies fast-turnaround delivery of Flexcel NX plates to customers as a major reason for Nuflex’s success, usually within 24 hours and often on the same day. “It’s becoming the norm,” said Puntambekar, “so it’s expected of us. Production runs are getting shorter as consumption patterns change. It helps that from the start we’ve been able to put robust production practices and disciplines in place.”

Puntambekar: We want to democratise high-quality pre-press for packaging, because too many smaller brands think it’s only for the bigger players

Predicting the future is difficult at the present time, but Puntambekar expects these trends to continue, and for circumstances to generate more inorganic growth. “We’re seeing production return to India from neighboring countries, and a move to localised manufacturing even within national borders.”

Nuflex and Flexcel plates: Nikhil Puntambekar

Consistent quality of the plates is important: The Flexcel NX delivers the right densities and colours, and these hold true across the spectrum of the work we produce — labels, flexible packaging, pouches, shrink-sleeves and corrugated. Customers like the simplified workflow and problem-free printing at their end, so there’s value throughout the production chain.

How flexo is gaining market share from other processes like gravure: This is apparent in every segment but especially in flexible packaging. For example, in a shrink sleeve product - better halftone reproduction was achieved with Flexcel NX DigiCap NX patterning technology. They doubted our claim that DigiCap NX meant a single hit of white instead of a double, but we achieved it with the same densities and visual results. White’s the most expensive pigment, so reducing consumption at the same time as speeding things up brings real value to the process..

Flexo and the corrugated segment: A good avenue for growth, helped by Flexcel NX’s ability to print 150lpi. Liquor brands in particular are actively exploring conversion. (Also) the nationwide ban on plastic bags imposed in 2019 means paper bags are a good opportunity. In some cases, we’ve converted customers from five colours to four colours using Flexcel NX.