HP Indigo, a specialist in digital printing technology, has achieved a significant milestone in India with 25 installations of its B2 digital presses across the country. The company is rapidly expanding beyond the metros, with nearly 50% of the installations occurring in Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 locations.
Speaking about the growth, A Appadurai, country business manager – Indigo and Inkjet Business Solutions, HP, highlighted how businesses in smaller cities are making substantial investments in digital printing technology. “Saharanpur alone has two Indigo B2 presses. This trend reflects India’s broader economic shift, where smaller cities and startups are driving growth,” he said.
Beyond traditional applications, HP’s customers are diversifying their use of Indigo presses. Initially purchased for specific needs such as high-quality photo books, these presses are now being leveraged for commercial printing, personalized publishing, and niche segments such as folding cartons. “The ability to use a single investment for multiple applications is what makes digital printing so valuable,” Appadurai added.
Empowering startups with digital printing
HP Indigo works closely with government and private incubation centers to support small businesses. The company has signed agreements with 10 such organizations, including the Coffee Board of India, Spice Board, Tea Board, Millet Research Institute, and Kerala Startup Mission. These initiatives connect HP Indigo with around 40,000 startups annually, providing them with access to high-quality packaging solutions without the burden of large-scale print runs.
“Many startups in the coffee, spices, and tea industries need world-class packaging to compete with established brands, but they lack the financial resources to print in bulk. Digital printing eliminates this challenge by allowing them to print only what they need, reducing costs and waste,” Appadurai explained.
The future of digital printing in India
As consumer preferences shift towards personalized products and short-run packaging, HP expects the demand for digital printing to rise significantly. The company’s B2 customers are currently divided into three main segments — 40% focus on photo printing, another 40% on general commercial printing, and the remaining 20% on high-value applications such as premium packaging.
At Printpack 2025, HP Indigo showcased its latest technologies, including HP Indigo 100K, HP Indigo 15K, and HP Indigo 6K (in association with Technova), with a strong focus on automation, color management, and sustainability. “Our presses are CO₂ neutral, and digital printing minimizes waste. Globally, 25% of printed material goes unused, but digital printing helps companies avoid excess inventory and unnecessary waste,” Appadurai noted.
“We measure our success not by installations but in how our customers use digital printing to innovate. Around 40% of our customers now own multiple Indigo presses, reflecting growing confidence in the technology,” Appadurai concluded.
