As part of its series to cover prominent printing districts in different cities, the Indian Printer and Publisher visited the bustling digital printing hub of Andheri East. Here, we met some of the prominent print service providers to understand the dynamics of the print ecosystem and the evolution of the hub over the years.
When Pravin Khutiya launched Reliance Graphic in Andheri East seven years ago, the neighborhood was still in the middle stages of becoming a digital printing destination. “I had just three machines and one idea—everything should be done in-house, and delivered fast,” he recalls. Today, that vision has grown into a full-fledged production unit with 14 machines, two additional facilities, and services ranging from T-shirt printing to solvent and UV applications.
Khutiya’s journey mirrors the transformation of Andheri East itself—from a quiet industrial pocket to arguably India’s most dynamic digital printing hub. And at the heart of this growth story lies a mix of location advantages, technology upgrades, service diversity, and a culture of reliability.
Location, speed, and scale
Strategically positioned near the airport, Andheri East is situated in the heart of a bustling commercial and industrial belt, flanked by business zones such as Marol, Sakinaka, and MIDC. “Speed is everything in this industry,” says Khutiya. “Clients want their jobs in an hour, not a day. Here, that’s possible. That’s why I invested in four large-format printers—we don’t wait, we deliver.”
After the Covid-19 pandemic, the momentum only accelerated. During the lockdown, everything came to a halt. But as soon as things reopened, the pace of growth doubled,” he says. “Every week, there’s a new shop setting up. I’ve never seen Andheri expand like this.”
His press floor today features a wide array of equipment—Canon’s V1000 and imagePRESS C10000VP, high-speed Epson machines, a RISO inkjet, a Konica Minolta AccurioPress 1060, and several wide-format printers. “There’s zero outsourcing,” he notes. “Printing, binding, finishing—it’s all in-house. That’s how you control quality and timelines.”
A story four decades in the making
While newcomers such as Reliance Graphic have helped push the boundaries of what digital print can offer, the roots of Andheri’s rise stretch back over four decades. Pankaj Gala, founder of Jumbo Xerox, opened shop in 1982 and remembers the early days vividly. “Back then, everything was manual—no digital, no automation. I still remember buying my first Xerox 3107. That machine changed everything.”

Through the years, Gala has witnessed the area evolve from a scattering of photocopy centers to a tightly-knit ecosystem of advanced digital presses and finishing systems. “What defines Andheri is not just technology, but trust. Customers know they will get authentic prints, quick service, and consistent quality.”
That ethos of trust stems in part from a near-universal commitment to using original branded machines and consumables. “Refurbished machines might save money in the short term,” Gala says, “but they can’t match the precision and uptime of OEM setups. Here, whether it’s Canon, Xerox, Epson or Konica, we invest in brands, and customers can see the difference.”
The ‘mall’ of digital print
For Saurabh Gala, owner of A to Z Digital Prints, Andheri East functions like a print superstore. “Think of it as a mall where you get everything: visiting cards, stickers, signage, garment printing, corporate stationery, even customized gift items,” he explains. “Why would clients go elsewhere?”
This one-stop-shop model is a defining feature of Andheri’s print ecosystem. It’s also a reflection of changing customer expectations. “Clients don’t have time to visit five different places for one job. They want design, print, and finish under one roof—and that’s exactly what we offer.”
Over the last five years, A to Z has expanded modestly in terms of printing machines but significantly in post-press innovation. “Finishing is where the game is now,” Saurabh Gala says. “Anyone can buy a digital press. But how you finish the job—laminate, bind, foil, crease, mount—that’s where you win repeat business.”
While commercial print volumes have declined post-Covid, the packaging and label segment has surged. “Sticker and label printing is booming. Packaging jobs, even short runs, are becoming more frequent. It’s keeping the presses busier than ever,” he adds.
Color, consistency, and credibility
Kirti Karia of Allwyn Jumbo Xerox has seen the full arc of Andheri’s print evolution. “We have been here for over 40 years, and today, Andheri East is without a doubt the country’s leading digital print hub,” he says. “It’s a color-driven market now. Short-run, fast-turnaround color jobs—brochures, flyers, mock-ups—are what define the business.”
According to Karia, it’s not just the machines that have improved, but the applications. “Ten years ago, CMY was enough. Now, clients want white, gold, silver, and clear toner; embellishments that were once impossible or too expensive for short runs. That’s all changed.”
The proximity to corporations and educational institutions also feeds the ecosystem. “Everyone—students, SMEs, MNCs—needs print. Whether it’s 10 sheets or 10,000, we’re equipped to handle it. And we don’t cut corners.”
The focus on genuine consumables has been instrumental. “Compatible toners may save a few rupees, but you pay for it in quality loss and customer trust,” Karia says. “If you walk into any shop in Andheri, you know you’ll get consistent output. That’s our brand value.”
The road ahead – faster, smarter, more localized
What’s next for Andheri’s digital print industry? All signs point to continued expansion, not just in volume but in complexity. New-generation machines from Xerox and Canon are more compact, more economical, and increasingly modular, allowing for on-site maintenance with CRSM (Customer Replaceable Service Modules). “Earlier, even a small glitch meant downtime and service calls,” says Pankaj Gala. “Now, things are becoming more plug-and-play.”
Cost-per-page has also dropped, especially for mono jobs. “Canon’s latest black-and-white machines run at 12–13 paise per page, compared to 30–32 paise earlier. That opens up new markets—schools, logistics, documentation—where affordability matters,” says Khutiya.
But even as margins narrow, volume and speed are making up for it. “You may not make Rs 5 lakh profit on a Rs 6 lakh machine like in the past,” Gala adds. “But the job count is way up. The business is still strong—just different.”
For Andheri East, the growth story is far from over. New shops continue to spring up, old players continue to upgrade, and the print buyer’s expectations continue to rise. “We’ve come a long way,” Karia says, “but this is still just the beginning.”
Powering Print – Equipment, expertise and end-to-end solutions
The growth of Andheri East’s print ecosystem is not limited to service providers alone; it also includes a robust network of equipment suppliers.
Among these is Edifice Technologies, one of the leading distributors of Canon Production Printers, Epson and HP large-format printers, as well as ROWE and Graphtec wide-format scanners. Based in Andheri, Edifice has evolved alongside its clients and recognized the importance of moving up the value chain.
“As finishing and customization become more integral to print jobs, our role as distributors is also shifting beyond being large-format specialists,” says Saumitra Trivedi, managing director of Edifice Technologies. “We’ve expanded our portfolio beyond large-format printers to include solutions like UV DTF, laser markers, shape cutters, laminators, and creasers. The market demands faster turnarounds and more versatile applications. It’s our job to enable that through reliable, cost-effective technologies and responsive support.”
A print ecosystem built for the future
From legacy players to agile newcomers, Andheri East has cultivated a unique ecosystem where innovation, reliability, and customer-centricity drive growth. With a robust infrastructure of service providers and equipment partners working in tandem, the hub continues to adapt to changing demands. As the print industry evolves, Andheri East stands not just as a center of production, but as a blueprint for how local ecosystems can scale sustainably, intelligently, and with purpose.