Ahmedabad-based Art-O-Print installed the AVT Workflow Link together with an AVT inspection platform for labels which was supplied by Reifenhauser India in November 2015. Earlier, in September the packaging solutions specialist installed a Gallus ECS 340 narrow web flexo press to service the label printing segment of the market.
“The reason for opting for the AVT Workflow Link was to help boost productivity and minimize costly reprints and errors,” says Biren Amin of Art-O-Print. WorkFlow Link is an optional add-on module for AVT 100% automatic inspection platforms. It provides remote access to PrintFlow data from all installed AVT 100% inspection systems, and can be deployed in conjunction with the optional PrintFlow Manager, a quality management and reporting tool.
Established in 1996, Art-O-Print has been providing packaging solutions such as cartons, brochures, folders and inserts. With the installation of the new Gallus ECS press, the company has diversified to the pharmaceutical label segment. “The move towards labels is a way to diversify our portfolio of services. In the few months that we have been operating in this area, we have received very good feedback from our customers. We are not only focussing on our existing customers but are also looking to acquire new customers who have label printing needs,” Amin adds.
Apart from these latest investments in narrow web flexo technology, the company is a fully equipped offset printing unit for with five Heidelberg offset presses. For converting and finishing it operates a Bobst diecutter and two Bobst folder-gluers as well as three folding machines from Vijuk. It employs a a Heidelberg Suprasetter 74 CtP output device and a Heidelberg Super Dot plate processor in the prepress department. Art-O-Print runs its printing and packaging operations in separate buildings with plenty of room to grow and build further. While the 2,500 square metre printing plant is on a plot of 10,000 square metres, the 2,200 square metre packaging unit is situated on a separate 9,500 square metre plot.
Promising future
Amin is optimistic about his company’s growth in the label segment as well as the overall expansion of the label industry in India. Asked about his views on the advent of digital technology in packaging and label printing, he says that currently it does not look feasible from the return on investment (ROI) point of view. “However, for someone who has multiple offset presses, a digital press can be used to compliment them, mainly for short-run jobs like sampling and proofing purposes,” says Amin.
He also states that the number of flexo presses has increased in recent years in India as more and more printers now realize that the quality produced by these flexo presses using digitally imaged flexo plates has improved drastically. “The quality of output of flexo presses has improved significantly in recent years and that is why their demand has also increased in India. Primarily they are being used for printing labels but gradually they are also becoming popular with carton printers,” Amin explains.
Packaging South Asia is the cooperating media partner for drupa 2016 which is scheduled to be held from 31 May to 10 June at Dusseldorf, Germany.
