Prateek Graphics secures Epson SurePress

Amid the booming Indian label market, driven by
e-commerce, FMCG and electronics sectors, Prateek
Graphics has propelled its growth trajectory with the
installation of an Epson SurePress L-6534VW UV digital label
press. Prateek Graphics, a subsidiary of Prateek Metal Industries, is the first company in India to install this press.

With a legacy spanning over 30 years, Prateek Graphics is one of the leading manufacturers catering to highly specific needs across automotive, home appliances and pharmaceutical industries; sectors where label integrity, durability and precise color matching are paramount. The SurePress L-6534VW installation represents a critical investment in next-generation UV inkjet technology, designed to complement the company’s existing mix of digital and traditional printing capabilities.

Located in Sonipat, Haryana, the installation marks a significant step forward for one of the region’s long-standing label converters, positioning it to capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for short-run, high-mix and durable labels.

Speed meets durability
The decision to invest in the Epson L-6534VW was driven by the market’s increasing intolerance for long lead times and the need to achieve premium quality on challenging, non-paper substrates. The Epson press, with its high-speed productivity mode of up to 50m/min and a print resolution of 600×1,200 DPI, delivers the throughput required to bridge the gap between digital flexibility and traditional flexo production volumes.

A key factor in the selection was the press’s advanced ink and
substrate handling technology. The SurePress uses proprietary UV-curable inks and features a high-opacity white ink, essential for printing vivid colors on clear films and metallic substrates, which is a staple requirement for the electronics and large household appliance brands served by Prateek Graphics.

‘We have a fleet of machines comprising label presses of
different models and configurations, as well as a line of post-press finishing equipment. But we totally redefine labels using the new Epson UV label press,’ says Manoj Arora, director of
Prateek Graphics.

He further notes that the company was impressed by the
machine’s high-quality output, multiple speed modes and stable operations. ‘The ability of the press to manage complex jobs quickly, leveraging features like single-pass high-opacity white ink for metallic films, was key to the investment decision,’ adds Arora.

“We see a 20 percent annual growth in the Indian label market, and we’re positioning ourselves to capture that momentum with the right technology and infrastructure.”

With a robust setup that includes 11 screen printing machines from Grafica (both sheet and roll format), digital presses from Konica Minolta and now the Epson SurePress, Prateek Graphics is geared to meet high-volume, high-quality label production demands.

‘We started exploring digital printing five years ago with Konica Minolta and added Epson last year to boost quality, reduce turnaround time and minimize waste,’ comments Arora.

PrecisionCore technology
The SurePress L-6534VW credits its quality to Epson’s
PrecisionCore printhead technology, which uses variable-sized droplet technology (VSDT) to jet ink droplets as small as 3.2 pl. Ashish Joshi, sales and marketing at Epson, India, says this precision enables smooth gradations and fine text, essential for fine-print applications common in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors that Prateek serves.

‘Furthermore, the machine’s web handling system, which
includes a Drum Platen to hold the substrate taut, ensures flawless color-to-color registration,’ remarks Joshi. Added to this is an integrated LED UV pinning system that instantly cures each ink color, preventing dot gain and spread.

At Prateek Graphics, its new press now plays a critical role
in producing a wide range of labels, including dome labels,
polycarbonate labels, vinyl labels and specialty products for home appliances, health, wellness and automotive sectors. The company produces up to 50,000 dome labels per day and handles 50,000 meters of media per day.

Looking ahead, Prateek Graphics plans to diversify into shrink
sleeves and pouches as part of its continued growth strategy.

‘We see a 20 percent annual growth in the Indian label market, and we’re positioning ourselves to capture that momentum with the right technology and infrastructure,’ concludes Arora.