Specializing in bulk, urgent print projects, Viba Press in Delhi’s Okhla Industrial Area offers the entire range of commercial print services – prepress, printing, finishing, and binding, using modern technology and solutions from global leaders. Established in 1995 with a single-color machine by its managing director Vinay Baveja, the print business produces books, annual reports, calendars, coffee table books, posters, brochures, flyers, and stationery.
Viba Press installed its first RMGT 920ST 4-color sheetfed press just a few weeks ago in February. With a rated speed of 16,200 sheets per hour, the new 4-color press is designed for full-color, 8-page printing. The 920 format allows 8-page printing at the cost of printing in a 6-up format with its economic size of plates, blankets, paper and lower consumption of ink and energy.
“This is our first-time investment in an RMGT press and we are looking to buy one more press from RMGT as per our practice of having a backup,” laughs Baveja, while explaining the need for full redundancy for short-run time critical print. We were able to see the press in action and were impressed by its steady output. Baveja added that customers have already complimented the company on the print quality of the new machine.
Viba’s busy pressroom is full of equipment, which includes several other offset presses, including a Heidelberg Speedmaster CD102 4-color press, a 4-color Heidelberg MOV, a double-color Heidelberg, a double-color Adast dominant, and a single-color Heidelberg SORK with auto numbering attachment.
Viba’s prepress department is well-equipped, “The latest software and advanced systems are used to create designs for print along with translation and proofreading.” It has an Epson large format inkjet proofer, for signatures as wide as 42 inches. Plates are produced using a Kodak Therma CtP capable of producing 10-micron dots at 300 lpi with a processor rated at 24 plates an hour.
Right from cutting, folding, collating and binding the entire postpress and finishing section leans on automation. Four folding machines, a laminator, an 8-station flow-line, a six-clamp perfect binder machine, and able to handle the widely varying finishing required by modern full-service commercial printers.
PSUs and government departments such as the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), India Tourism Development Corporation, and many corporates, advertising agencies and industry segments round out Viba’s client base. These come from the Delhi-NCR and across the country as well.
Book production is the bright spot in commercial print
Despite the onslaught of digital screens and digital printing, Baveja believes the commercial offset printing industry is flourishing. He explains, “Although the printing of pamphlets and brochures has seen a decline, it hasn’t plummetted to zero. Print is as much a human habit as is the use of cell phones. In recent months, commercial printers have benefited from the printing work spurred by the upcoming elections although it has now come down given the code of conduct regulations.” Citing book printing as one of the current bright spots in the industry, he said, “I don’t see a decline in book printing. Not today and not even in the future.”
Looking forward, Baveja says, the only thing he is looking forward to is the improvement in print quality and is open to new technologies that can enhance the output. Asked about his thoughts on the packaging industry, he was aware of it being a rapidly growing segment and said he hopes to venture into packaging as well. “I would be lying if I said the thought of venturing into the packaging industry never crossed my mind. If ever I get the opportunity to get into it, a good part of our infrastructure is ready and we will get into it. But let’s see what’s there in the future.”
