Indian start-up opts for HP Indigo WS6800

A start-up in India, Leap Digiprint, has commenced operations in Noida with an HP Indigo WS6800 digital label printing press.

Directors Vikram Prasad and Honey Vazirani with their team and the new HP Indigo WS6800 press

Started by directors Vikram Prasad and Honey Vazirani, who worked with Paper Products Limited until 2016 and 2013 respectively, the factory houses seaming and cutting equipment for shrink sleeves from XL Converting Machinery, testing equipment and a soon-to-be installed Digicon 2 finishing machine. Leap Digiprint has also partnered with various companies that make cartons, tubes and pouches to better serve its customers.

Vazirani explained: ‘We can print almost any substrate in-house. However, we possibly cannot have all converting lines in the factory at this stage so we decided to tie-up with a few companies who would make a complete product for us, as per customers’ requirements. This will allow us to utilize the press to its maximum capacity and we will be able to print not only labels but also flexibles, pouches, shrink sleeves and notebooks, amongst others, on this versatile machine.’

Leap Digiprint believes digital will soon be an answer to many printing and packaging requirements in the industry. Vazirani added: ‘We have opted to do something new, futuristic and environmentally friendlier. The process also allows clean and lean operations that we needed.’

Echoing the same thoughts, Prasad said: ‘All trends clearly indicate the need for customization, security and smaller quantities, driving the way forward for digital printing. The demand is coming up and will grow in the future.’

However, it is true that the demand for digital hasn’t shot up yet, as Prasad explained: ‘Costs for digital printing are still a little high which is the reason why it requires a different marketing strategy. The technology has latent potential whose time is yet to come in India. Printers need to show brand owners digital alternatives, especially security and anti-counterfeiting systems, in the right light for them to consider those for various products and campaigns. It is a different market than a big tonnage conventional market. With increasing adoption of digital, the costs may also come down in a few years and it may be able to justify volume jobs as well.’

Though Leap Digiprint is getting maximum number of enquiries from Delhi-NCR, it sees potential in various industrial hubs as well.