From signage to labels: The Idea Factory takes leap

Established in 2006, Jaipur-based The Idea Factory, founded
by Yogesh Pradhan, initially specialized in printing outdoor
and indoor advertising materials, dispensers, acrylic products,
hoardings, flex and vinyl prints, retail marketing materials, LED signage and more. The company has recently diversified into label production by investing in Monotech Systems’ Jetsci Global KolorSmart+ UV inkjet press. 

Humble beginnings
Pradhan’s fascination with the printing industry began in his youth, inspired by his father’s work at Rajasthan Patrika, the region’s leading daily newspaper. Determined to follow his passion, Pradhan pursued a diploma in printing technology. He recalls: ‘I joined the college in 1994 and completed my diploma in printing technology in 1997. Post-college, I found my first job at TechNova Imaging Systems.’

After eight years of gaining extensive knowledge about printing quality, customer satisfaction and client service—and
understanding its critical role in business success—Pradhan took the entrepreneurial plunge. ‘It was a dream for me to start my own business. In 2006, I founded The Idea Factory to cater to client’s branding and marketing needs, including signage boards and in-shop branding,’ he shares.

Pradhan attributes his success in the signage printing industry to the adoption of the latest technologies. The Idea Factory’s facility is equipped with cutting-edge machinery for the signage industry, including HP, Epson, and Roland equipment.

The Idea Factory serves various industries, including banking, oil, telecom and FMCG. Its clientele includes established brands such as Samsung, MI, Colgate, Jockey, Google, Sab Miller, Johnson, CEAT Tires, Bridgestone and ICICI Bank.

Labels calling
In 2022, 14 years after founding The Idea Factory, Yogesh Pradhan set his sights on diversifying and expanding his business into the labels and packaging sector. This marked the birth of his second venture: Aart Stroke Labels and Packs. Pradhan explains: ‘Labels and packaging is a rapidly growing segment, and we wanted to explore its potential. We conducted extensive market research to understand the industry landscape.’

Following an in-depth market study, Pradhan identified digital printing technology as the suitable option for label production. He shares: ‘There’s significant demand for small print jobs. Even large companies launching new products often begin with smaller quantities to test the market and create demand before scaling up.’

The challenge, however, was choosing the right digital machine. ‘I evaluated several options. Then, one day, I came across a LinkedIn post by an old friend at Monotech Systems featuring a digital label printing machine. After learning more, I decided on the Jetsci KolorSmart+ machine, which we installed in April 2022,’ he recalls.

Dinesh Thakur, general manager of sales at Jetsci Global, notes: ‘The Idea Factory had specific requirements, and we ensured they were met. The KolorSmart+ is designed for label printers who want to enter the digital printing space at an affordable level without compromising on quality, efficiency, or substrate versatility.’

The KolorSmart+ is a 6-color UV inkjet press equipped with a flexo unit. Its UV technology allows compatibility with various substrates, making it well-suited for producing multiple SKUs and mid-length print runs.

“The market is moving toward small jobs, and customers need good packaging”

With this press, Aart Stroke Labels and Packs produces a diverse portfolio, including product packaging, clear, waterproof and sheet labels. The company primarily serves clients in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and health supplement industries.

‘The market is shifting toward smaller print jobs, and customers demand high-quality packaging. With the KolorSmart+ installation, we can cater to a broader customer base seeking reliable and cost-effective digital printing products,’ Pradhan highlights the strategic importance of this investment.

The path forward
The company is steadily progressing and preparing to take the next big step to meet high-volume customer demands. Pradhan explains: ‘For larger volumes, we are focusing on flexo printing. Printing on materials like poly packs or flex packs is not feasible with offset technology, making flexo the best choice.’

At the same time, the company is aiming to deliver premium packaging services. Pradhan shares: ‘To achieve premium quality, we are investing in a new technology that will be installed by mid-February 2025. This will enable us to provide high-quality packaging in smaller quantities—something that’s not practical with flexo and can be prohibitively expensive with digital printing.’

Looking ahead, The Idea Factory is poised to expand its offerings by combining premium-quality labels and packaging
with the scalability of fl exo printing to address the needs of both high-volume and niche markets.