At Labelexpo India 2024, the Creative Graphics group highlighted its three companies – Creative Graphics Solutions, a manufacturer of flexo plates; CG Premedia, an end-to-end premedia service provider such as packaging design, art-working, prepress, color management, mock-ups, and market testing samples; and Wahren India, a provider of packaging solutions for the pharma industry.
The Creative Graphics stand featured products printed using flexographic printing technology. These included flexo plates for segments such as labels, flexible packaging, and corrugation. The emphasis was on demonstrating how flexo technology has evolved to deliver print quality comparable to gravure printing.
“These products are proof of the quality that flexo can produce,” said Sanjay Sakalley, director of CG Premedia. “Recent technological advancements in flexo printing have elevated it to a level that matches gravure printing.”
Sakalley spoke about the relatively slow adoption of flexographic printing in India compared to Western Europe and North America. “Flexo printing has been around for over two decades in India, but its adoption has been gradual due to the industry’s natural resistance to change,” he explained. However, he acknowledged that advancements in plates, inks, and printing technology have fueled growth in specific sectors. “The food and hygiene industries, in particular, are moving towards flexo printing to avoid the solvents and chemicals associated with gravure printing.”
Despite the slow start, Sakalley expressed optimism about the future of flexographic printing in India. “The market is growing steadily, and as more players realize the benefits of flexo—such as its environmental friendliness and cost-efficiency—it is carving a significant niche.”
During the event, Sakalley addressed the relationship between flexo and gravure printing, comparing it to the coexistence of digital and print media. “The demand for flexo is growing, but that doesn’t mean gravure will disappear. There are sectors, such as high-quality packaging, that rely exclusively on gravure. Both technologies will continue to coexist, serving different needs within the industry.” Rather than competing, flexo and gravure are positioned as complementary technologies within the printing ecosystem.
Reflecting on the event, Sakalley noted that Labelexpo India 2024 provided valuable exposure to emerging trends and new entrants in the label industry. “Participating in Labelexpo gives us a reality check on the industry. It allows us to interact with existing customers, meet potential clients, and understand the evolving market dynamics,” he said. Although it began a little slow, the response at the show was good on the last day of the exhibition, he said.
