Ahmedabad-based pre-press bureau Ankit Graphics is looking to expand its presence in the corrugated packaging sector by focusing on higher-value flexographic printing jobs as brand owners increasingly seek better-quality, multicolor graphics on corrugated boxes.
Speaking to Packaging South Asia at IndiaCorr Expo, Ankit Darji said corrugation currently accounts for around 15%–20% of the bureau’s overall business. The company intends to increase this share by targeting applications that require more colors and greater value addition rather than conventional one- or two-colour printing.
“The corrugation industry is expanding at a good, scalable rate. As a pre-press bureau, we want to make as many plates as possible, so the industry’s growth is also helping and boosting our growth story,” Darji said.
Brand owners, he said, were increasingly interested in four-color flexographic printing on corrugated packaging, although concerns remained about print quality. Ankit Graphics works with customers to build confidence in the capabilities of modern pre-press software and hardware for better results.
The company recently finalized a deal for a Kongsberg X20 flexo plate-cutting table, with installation expected by December. The 42 × 60-inch system will allow the bureau to cut plates in different shapes and patterns with greater precision, supporting the dimensions of plates produced at its facility.
Darji said the decision was based on reliability, compatibility and the technology’s established track record. During a visit to Germany, he consulted a fellow trade-shop operator about the machine’s performance and workflow.
The Kongsberg system’s compatibility with both Esko and Kodak NX workflows was another consideration. Darji said he wanted a proven solution that could be integrated into the business with limited training rather than requiring extensive research and development.
“Cheaper options were available in the market, but I was looking for a more reliable and robust solution for this particular requirement,” he said.
