The demand for inkjet web presses in India’s book printing segment is experiencing remarkable growth and TechNova is at the forefront of this dynamic shift, said the company’s CEO Amit Khurana, in an interview with Indian Printer and Publisher.
TechNova recently announced its strategic partnership with Founder Electronics, a leading innovator in inkjet press manufacturing and a significant player in the inkjet revolution for publication printing. As a subsidiary of the Ping An Group – ranked 53rd on the Fortune 500 list – Founder Electronics boasts over 460 successful installations across China and Southeast Asia.
Its inkjet workflow solutions are known for optimizing publication printing processes, thanks to integration with JDF and XML standards. Notably, Founder Electronics’ presses can handle many substrates, including coated paper – a challenge that has historically limited inkjet press versatility. This capability underscores its commitment to overcoming industry hurdles and delivering exceptional adaptability.
Highlighting the advancements propelling the expansion in India, Khurana says that inkjet presses have evolved significantly, now operating at speeds of up to 100 meters per minute – double the pace of just a few years ago. “Excitingly, our OEM partner is on the verge of launching a wide-format 200 meters per minute press early next year. This leap in technology, combined with advancements in print heads and digital finishing solutions, has led to substantial reductions in operating costs.”
Transforming book production
The wider adoption of inkjet technology is not just a technical achievement; it’s revolutionising the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of book production. “The integration of advanced technologies has streamlined operations, enabling us to offer innovative binding solutions tailored for short-run printing. This is particularly critical as India’s book printing market spans a diverse array of rapidly growing verticals – from textbooks and trade books to high-quality coffee table books and personalised educational materials,” Khurana asserts.
A significant industry shift is taking place toward short-run requirements, driven by the rise of personalised educational content and the growing self-publishing sector, notably led by social media influencers. Additionally, the export market is booming, as European publishers increasingly seek cost-effective production solutions, further solidifying India’s role as a key player in the global book printing landscape.
“At TechNova, our commitment is to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the publishing industry’s evolving needs. We offer a comprehensive range of inkjet presses and digital finishing solutions to enhance productivity and deliver superior quality. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, our focus remains on supporting our clients with the most advanced and efficient technologies available,” he explains.
Strategic partnership with Founder Electronics
“We began our collaboration with Founder Electronics around nine months ago and have already secured five orders, with inquiries continuing to grow robustly,” says Khurana, adding that TechNova’s partnership with Founder Electronics includes a comprehensive portfolio of inkjet presses, offering both color and monochrome options in roll-to-sheet and roll-to-roll configurations, available in 17 and 22-inch widths. These configurations are aimed at the book market and print service providers (PSPs).
“We are also excited to expand our offerings with the forthcoming addition of 26-inch and 34-inch format presses, further broadening our capabilities and enhancing our service portfolio.” In addition, Founder Electronics integrates sheeting technology from Tecnau, a global leader in digital post-press solutions. This integration, coupled with Founder Electronics’ experience, enables the handling of a diverse range of substrates and printing requirements.
“At TechNova, we are dedicated to providing a premier, end-to-end solution for digital and offset book printing. We offer a full spectrum of solutions, including offset printing with specialized ink and chemical solutions, inkjet technology, and cover page printing through Konica Minolta. Our unified software platform integrates these elements seamlessly, and we are actively collaborating with digital finishing solution providers to ensure a holistic solution that meets all of our customers’ needs,” Khurana explains.
Outlook on inkjet web presses in India
The TechNova CEO anticipates significant growth over the next four to five years, “In China, there are about 1,000 inkjet web presses in operation. In India, we have around 30 to 40. I am confident this number will increase to between 250 and 300 machines within the next five years. We anticipate installing 30 to 40 new presses annually during this period. This expansion will undoubtedly impact the offset market; however, it’s important to note that offset printing will remain the dominant and core technology in book printing, maintaining approximately 80% of the market share.”
He emphasizes TechNova’s commitment to not only delivering cutting-edge products but also providing an exceptional service experience – “Our focus extends beyond supplying state-of-the-art inkjet presses. We are dedicated to offering comprehensive support and service finely tuned to our customers’ needs. By combining our innovative products with outstanding service, we aim to ensure our clients receive the highest value and efficiency from their investments.”
