Inkfloat
Floats up with innovations

Sunil Juneja

In August 2009 when HP big shots, promoting the HP Designjet L65500 Latex printer, spoke of Pune as the ‘Capital of Latex Technology’, the wide-format giant referred to the inclusion of a pioneering printing solutions company based in the city named Inkfloat. Founded in 1983 by Sunil Juneja and Anil Gujar, Inkfloat has over the past two decades sought to redefine the outdoor and exhibition landscape of the city through the adoption of innovative techniques.

Machines: Inkfloat unveiled as a screen printing unit in the year 1983 and ventured into digital printing in 1997 with the acquisition of a Novajet printer. The largest and one-of-its-kind facility in Pune, housed in over 5000 sq ft of space, the company possesses a wide array of equipment. From the HP Z6100, the photo printer for amazing life-like images, to the HP Designjet 5500 and HP Z2300 for outdoor printing purpose that uses a different ink chemistry, Inkfloat’s machine portfolio also consists of vinyl cutting machines, Mimaki cutting plotter, Exceljet lamination machine and the 10 feet Jeti 3324 for extra-large hoardings.

The HP Designjet L65500, their latest acquisition provides durable, odourless prints, sharp image quality and reduces the environmental impact of printing. Sunil Juneja also swears by the print quality of the machine.

Services: Since 1997 the company has been concentrating on digital printing though they still undertake screen printing jobs. While they do a lot of shop signages for clients such as Venky’s, their main focus is on exhibition designs and displays. Inkfloat offers complete exhibition solution to their clients – from design to dismantling. They do have a carpentry shop where fabrication of structures for exhibitions etc is undertaken.

They also have a huge demand for billboards that form a major part of their business. The company has professional commercial artists and graphic design experts handling their in-house design unit.

Clientele: From corporate such as Kirloskar, telecom companies and the Promoters & Builders Association of Pune, to ad agencies and blue chip companies, Inkfloat caters their products and services to all of them. Apart from Pune, their clients spread over other major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

As the price wars amongst printers in Pune reaches a new height, Juneja feels that it is a cut throat market. Inkfloat continues to serve its clients with better machines, better outputs and on-time deliveries without any compromise on quality. That is what keeps them afloat all the time!


Sign Wave
Brings in new movement

Shubhada Ketkar

The presence of Sign Wave has been around in the industry for more than 35 years. Begun in 1974 as Fabricrafts, the company was a pioneer in vinyl cutting and pasting work in India. Started by Atul Ketkar, Sign Wave rose to heights of glory under his leadership. In the year 1992 he decided to start a digital printing set up under the proprietorship of his wife, Shubhada Ketkar. Today, Sign Wave is a name to reckon with in the printing world of Pune.

Machines: The first 10 feet wide-format printing machine in Pune was acquired by Sign Wave. Today, they boast of having a portfolio comprising Roland XC 540, Jeti 3324 along with an eight feet machine. According to Ketkar, the Jeti 3324 solvent printer with 24 Spectra printheads is the fastest 3.3 meter grand-format printer on the market today. The output marks the Jeti 3324 in a class of its own, producing quality that competes with conventional large-format inkjet printers at a far lesser cost.

Services: From bus panels to retro-reflective sign boards, arch signs, industrial signs and a wide range of exhibition works, Sign Wave undertakes them all under its roof. They are also into hoardings in a major way. The company has an in-house fabrication unit and a design section that enables them to offer complete signage solutions to their clients. “The recession saw a little slump in the market but things have improved since then,” says Ketkar about the economic slowdown that threatened to topple Indian economy in 2008-09.

Clientele: Amongst the clients the company has been associated with include corporate bigwigs like Indian Oil Corporation, Mercedes Benz, Bajaj, Cummins, etc. The builders around Pune also form a major part of their client list.

Ketkar believes that her company is in demand and business is hectic ‘enough to keep the facility running to optimum’ because of the quality of outputs directly determined by the types of inks they use. “We don’t believe in any cost cutting at all and use only original inks recommended by the machine manufacturers,” she asserts. As the signage industry is on an upward growth path, the company is contemplating to adopt HP printers in the near future to keep abreast with increasing market demands.


Mega Digital
Poises to carve big pathway

Kunal Thakur

Mega Digital is a young company with a very distinctive vision. After being a sought after name in billboards across Pune they forayed into outdoor signage solutions in a big way. From shop fronts to out-of-home advertising formats, Mega Digital covers it all.

Kunal Thakur, a partner in the company remarks, “Retail visibility is in demand these days and Mega Digital is well equipped to meet all challenges.” The company landed into digital printing in 2003 when they bought a Mutoh 1614 Toucan. They are headquartered in Pune whereas their workshop is located in an industrial area and opened their first branch in Mumbai in 2007. Since then they have also opened a branch in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Machines: Mega Digital was the first printer in Pune to equip a solvent printer in 2004. Today, they own a multitude of high-end range of printers including 10 feet Vutek, HP Scitex XL Jet and a Mutoh. In addition, they own two 10 feet Vutek printers in Mumbai and one in Noida. Kunal expresses satisfaction with the consistent output of the Vutek for signages.

Clientele: Amongst their corporate clients are bigwigs like Tata Docomo, Uninor, etc. “Telecom outdoor jobs occupy a big share in our business”, says Kunal. They also extensively associate with television channels such as Colors, Star, Zee, etc as well as advertising agencies. Mega Digital aims to be a truly pan-India service providers. “We do not serve local clients alone. Our wide network enables us to undertake national level campaigns of our clients. Our delivery is fast and efficient as logistics is taken care of fully. We deliver service to north from Noida unit, west from Pune and Mumbai and will start servicing the south from Bangalore shortly,” tells Thakur.

Mega Digital is very quality conscious and ensures that there is no cost cutting involved in the purchase of inks etc. “Even though original inks are 25-30 percent more expensive, it is undisputed that they safeguard your machines and give optimum quality output” Thakur reasons.

Trends: “Signages are on an upward trend as of now. Quality work is being done in this area” says Thakur. He has seen a change in the dynamics of outdoor signages in the past few years. According to him the mainstay of their business even two years ago, billboards is today down to 60 percent from around 80 percent of their total business volume. “The main business growth is in outdoor signages, shop fronts, double-sided printing and other outdoor publicity materials.”

Growth: Mega Digital has added three more printers to their repertoire in a short span of three years. “We see a very positive trend in this industry and as volumes have gone up, we have augmented our facility with latest machines. We also intend adding a flatbed this year,” says Thakur brimming with confidence. With a pan-India operation, proven expertise in signages, latest machines and a deep commitment to customer satisfaction, Mega Digital is poised for growth and success.


K C Bhide
Continues a tradition in quality

Amit Bhide

Incepted in the year 1960 by K C Bhide, the company that goes by the same name even after five decades is a household name in the present printing industry of the region. Amit Bhide, the third generation Bhide of the company says, “We are perhaps the largest in the rest of Maharashtra region (barring Mumbai) in terms of production capacity.” It is not an impossible assertion. The company started as a block making unit in the 60s and has been consistently kept up with the technology of the times. From block making to adoption of image setting technology to screen and later offset and digital printing, K C Bhinde has seen it all.

Machines: In 1998 they acquired their first digital machine – a Xerox Majestic DC 12, a machine they have retained for their high volume output. They also possess the Fuji Luxel CtP machine. Since then they have invested in a Roland eco-solvent printer as well.

Services: While the company covers the gamut of printing ranging from invitation cards to outdoor signages, they are perhaps one of the few printers that undertake variable data printing. According to Amit this is one of their key strengths. The company has also invested in hi-end software such as colour profilers, density markers, etc that assist in text or printing changes as per client’s need.

They undertake in-house designing on a small scale. Their motto is quality consciousness and they constantly endeavour to surpass the client’s expectation.

Clientele: From corporate houses, educational institutions, ad agencies, freelancers to walk-in clients, K C Bhide offers an optimum printing solution to everyone. Apart from serving local clients they also cater their service to clients based in other districts such as Latur, Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Satara, etc.


Xquisite
Yearns for new trend

Shashank Tilak

If there is a printer in Pune who can claim to offer end-to-end and complete printing solutions for indoor, outdoor and other digital printing needs, it is Xquisite. According to Shashank Tilak, director, Xquisite, the company covers a wide repertoire of printing solutions – from in-store branding, display panels, flex and vinyl digital prints and many more. “Even substrates are not a hindrance as we print on traditional surfaces such as paper, flex and vinyl as well as leather, cork, glass, fabrics of all types, PVC, jute, foam, plastics to name a few,” he adds.

Services: The company has an in-house design unit, fabrication and carpentry unit, post press set up, and a professional staff to look after what all a client needs.

Machines: The company has in their possession an Indigo 3500, an eco-solvent Roland, HP Z6100, UV flatbed from HP, etc. The HP3500 is a recent acquisition and the company plans to acquire a five feet HP Latex and a laser cutter sooner than later. Tilak believes that his infrastructure is capable of a large variety of printing on different formats. “We have also printed 3D rangoli designs for an artist. The possibilities are endless”, he smiles.

Clientele: This five-year-old company that is housed in a 3500 sq ft set up in the heart of Pune is a very popular name amongst ad agencies. Walk-in clients also form a big part of the clientele of Xquisite. Amongst their corporate clients are top city corporates such as Kirloskar, Siemens, TCS, Suzlon, SKF, Sandvik, Cummins, etc.

Efficiency: From design, production to offering installation and dismantling facility, Xquisite offers complete hassle-free support. “We never cut costs, whatever the need of the client and that makes us a popular choice with quality conscious clients,” says Tilak. What also gives Xquisite an edge is that they always deliver on-time. “On-schedule delivery and delivery at ‘their’ time is very important to us and we make sure we do it with every client.”

Competition: Competition in Pune’s printing industry is very fierce. While he is wary of the increasing competition in the field of solvent printing, Tilak believes that the quality does not matter to clients who are looking for price cuts as low as Re 1 on a brochure. “The rat race in solvent printing is getting too cut throat for my comfort. I do not want to compete with such people,” he emphasises categorically.

Trends: “The signage industry has come a long way over the last 7-8 years. While the technology has remained largely unchanged, there is a big change in the types of inks used –Latex/UV/eco-solvent,” he adds. Commenting on what kind of changes he would like to witness in the next few years he says, “Increase in the speed of prints and perhaps quality is what I anticipate and look forward to.”


Chinmudra Communications
Delivers one-stop solutions

Newly Designed unit of Chinmudra

In 1993, a young man of a great visionary, Sailesh Purohit ventured into the signage market and launched his company Designer Graphics. In 17 years, this company has metamorphosed into a giant in the signage and visual merchandising business and has been renamed Chinmudra Communications Pvt Ltd since 2004.

Chinmudra is a one-stop solution for all services related to visual merchandising, right from wall displays, exhibition panels, pop-ups, internal branding to interiors and concept design of exclusive brand stores, direction panels etc. The company also manufactures glow signs, translites, road signs, fleet signs and more. The company has a fabrication and carpentry unit of about 14,000 sq ft located in Ambegaon, Katraj, Pune.

Machines: Chinmudra Communications possesses a wide range of hi-tech machinery including HP Designjet L6550 Latex printer, HP Designjet 8000, HP 5100, an Exceljet for lamination, CNC router, laser engraver and a metal sheet bending machine. The company undertakes mapping, click pictures and creates a layout of the area to be enhanced in architectural style giving their clients a complete feel of the changes the space will experience.

Until a few years ago, Chinmudra was outsourcing all its printing needs amounting to almost 60-70 lakhs. Outsourcing also meant that they had to abide by the queuing of the printer and were sometimes unable to undertake priority work. It was then that Chinmudra decided to invest in their own HP machines.

With the adoption of the HP Latex printer, Chinmudra has gone out of its way to promote green technology. “We took the initiative and informed all our clients about the Latex acquisition, inspiring them to participate in the ‘Go Green’ campaign,” informs Jeeja Purohit, director, Chinmudra Communications Pvt Ltd. The company also uses eco-friendly media, which is more expensive than regular media. But Jeeja iterates that they are not into price wars, as they have their own niche in the upcoming and competitive signage market.

Growth: “Chinmudra means energy and peace. Clients are at peace after offloading the work to us,” mentions Jeeja adding that they take clients to new levels of sophistication and that has given them impetus in the business for the past 17 years. Chinmudra is in the process of organising its Mumbai launch in a big way soon.

Clients: Exhaustive client list of Chinmudra includes Mercedes Benz, Samsung India, VIP Industries, Philips India, SBI, UBI, Dena Bank, Videocon, Sony India, Racold, Reliance Infocom, Coca Cola, Titan Industries, Ruby Hall, Jehangir Hospital, Thermax, L&T, Praj Industries, Holiday Inn and many more.


SuAn Digital Images
Poises to create a topnotch destination

Sudhir Phadke

Spread over 10,000 sq ft, SuAn Digital Images is one of Pune’s leading digital printing companies. The company began its foray into printing with screen printing 28 years ago, and slowly extended their proficiency in topnotch large-format digital printing solutions.

SuAn has several local advertising and publicity agencies, national and international corporate giants in their list of clients. Headquartered in Pune, the company has branch offices in Aurangabad and Kolhapur too, which cater to clients throughout Maharashtra and Goa. The company has extensive experience in in-store branding, outdoor billboards and glow signboards.

Machines: SuAn’s infrastructure includes solvent, eco-solvent and large-format inkjet printers as well as a cutting plotter. The company recently installed an HP Designjet L65500 digital printer based on Latex technology. It was the first installation of such high-end HP Latex technology printer in western India.

“Printing with environmental aspects is our policy. The installation of Latex is our first step towards environment protection campaign,” informs Sudhir Phadke, director, SuAn Digital Images. The company also has a fabrication and carpentry unit that augments their service to clients. Customised solutions and good services have been the key to their success, believes Sunil.

Clientele: SuAn’s impressive client list consists of more than 40 corporate giants including Samsung Electronics, ICICI, SKF, Sandvik, GM, Volkswagen, etc. According to Sudhir, Pune’s lead as one of the fastest growing digital printing markets in India also has a lot to do with the industrial growth witnessed by the city. With automotive giants and IT companies flourishing here, Pune is poised to hold its position as a leading destination for digital printing.


Gallant
Goes for a redefined in-store signage

Hetul Thakkar

Gallant Printing Solutions, soon to be known as Vista Kolours headed by Hetul Thakkar, has long experience in pre-media and pre-press services. Inspired by the evolution and business opportunity in the signage and graphic art industry, the company ventured into digital printing with a small HP DesignJet 5500. The company flagged off with in-store activities, pop & pos displays, branding, posters, visuals, etc. Eventually Gallant entered into providing turnkey solutions for signages, hoardings, tradeshow graphics, fleet wraps, brand promotion activities and events. “Though a late entrant in this field, our experience in offset technology was a catalyst to our future venture and growth,” says Thakkar of Gallant.

Machines: Gallant acquired an HP Latex L65500 in August 2009. Their production facility also equips with a Mimaki CJV-160 and HP DJ5500 to meet the needs of a wide range of clients.

Thakkar emphasises that the future trends of the signage industry would be durability and quality graphics at an affordable cost.

He also looks forward to the UV technology that will be environmentally safer, durable and substrate independent. Gallant is walking towards the path of success with splendid growth in in-shop branding and increasing their clientele. “We shall be moving into the V arena to explore more innovative ideas and service to fulfill the current demands in sunboard and vinyl domains,” says Thakkar.

Clients: The company covers clients from Mumbai, rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Kolkata. Their impressive list of clients includes some of the biggest retail giants such as Peter England, Raymonds, Lee, Wrangler, Reliance, Pune Central and Nokia, etc.