There has been a significant gap in the Indian market for inkjet technology because of the absence of a manufacturing infrastructure for inkjet presses, printheads, inks, drive technology, and cleaning technology for industrial printing, says Namrata Sharma, founder of Global Print Konnect, an alliance formed to enhance inkjet-integrated technology manufacturing in India.
“While working with a printhead manufacturer, I noticed the lack of an ecosystem for training or any sort of communication for industries willing to venture into inkjet printing. That is how the Idea of Global Print Konnect formed,” Sharma said in a post-drupa interaction with Indian Printer and Publisher.
Sharma talked about the origin of the alliance and why it was necessary. She says India is in a good position to be a future market for global industries. Many misconceptions, however, exist in the market about inkjet technology — its speed, suitable substrate, and maintaining the printheads.
“While some were true before, inkjet technology has grown manifold. However, there are no forums available in India to provide clarity on these misconceptions, which is why Global Print Konnect was deemed necessary,” she adds.
Inkjet printers can handle a wide range of media types, including glossy paper, matte paper, cardstock, specialty papers, paperboard for packaging, textiles, and even ceramics. This makes them versatile for different printing projects and industrial purposes. Inkjet printers excel at producing vibrant, high-resolution color prints. They are ideal for printing photographs, graphics, and other color-rich materials with sharp details and smooth gradients.
Inkjet printers were traditionally slower than laser printers, which led to the misconception that they were inherently slow. Older inkjet printers were known for clogging issues if not used frequently. However, modern inkjet printers have improved significantly, with better ink formulations and built-in maintenance routines that help prevent clogging. Regular use and proper maintenance also contribute to minimizing this issue, she explained.
Bridging the gap for information and enhancing operational efficiencies is the aim of the alliance. However, any development takes time, cooperation, collaboration, and capital. What was just a thought during 2020, became a foundation in 2021 with the joining of Seiko Instruments, a Japanese printhead manufacturer.
“As we moved ahead, we joined hands with Kao Chimigraf for chemicals and inks, Meteor for drive technologies, and People & Technology for cleaning and maintenance of printheads. As we figured more gaps related to ink properties and rheology, Trijet Limited extended its expertise and joined us,” Sharma said.
Indian Printer & Publisher met the Global Print Konnect alliance on 14 February 2024, in Aerocity, New Delhi for a roundtable conference. It was at this conference that the alliance conveyed its agenda of developing a manufacturing infrastructure for inkjet and integrated technologies in India. The alliance plans to build a training center to enhance the existing inkjet ecosystems in India and provide guidance to the new entrants in the market.
